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The visitor center is located in American Fork Canyon on Highway 92 just 10 miles east from Interstate 15 and 17.2 miles from U.S. 189; approximately 40 miles from Salt Lake City. An Information desk, exhibits, theater with orientation film and brochures can be found here. Expanded (Summer) hours are: May through Labor Day, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cave tours are available through the day. First hike time to the caves is at 7:30 a.m., last hike time to the caves is at 4:30 pm. Fall hours are: after Labor Day until closing in mid October, 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. First hike time to the caves is at 8:00 a.m., last hike time to the caves is at 3:30 p.m. The visitor center is closed for the winter after October 14 until May. The busiest season is Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Western National Parks Association Bookstore is located in the visitor center. It is open during the summer season (May to October). Call (801) 756-5238 for more information. Timpanogos Cave Snack Bar and Gift Shop is located adjacent to the visitor center. It is open daily during the summer season. Call (801) 756-5702 for more information. Restrooms and pay phones are available at the visitor center. Due to the steep grade of the cave trail and the narrow passages and stairs in the caves, the caves and cave trail are not wheel chair accessible. A full length cave tour is available to view at the wheelchair accessible visitor center.

The cave is located 1,065 feet above the visitor center, on the same side of the canyon, but cannot be seen from the visitor center. The entrance shelter can be seen from various points along Highway 92.

On October 14, 1922 Timpanogos Cave was made a national monument by President Warren G. Harding. Timpanogos Cave was established as a National Monument to preserve its features of unusual scientific interest and importance – features like its abundance of helictites, its coloration in its formations, its display of fault-controlled passages, and its alpine surroundings.

American Fork Canyon includes two wilderness areas-Lone Peak Wilderness on the north side of the canyon and mount Timpanogos Wilderness to the south. Lone Peak was established in 1977 and Mount Timpanogos in 1984.

More than 100 years ago no one knew that there were caves hidden in American Fork Canyon. Then on a fall day in 1887, 40-year old Martin Hansen, a Mormon settler from American Fork, Utah, accidentally discovered the first cave. Hansen was cutting timber high on the canyon’s south slopes when, according to one popular version of the story, he came across the tracks of a mountain lion. Following the tracks to a high ledge, he found an opening in the rock-the entrance to the small cave that would be named after him.

Hansen did not enter the cave that day, but he returned later to explore. To allow others to get a firsthand look at the cave, Hansen and others hacked out a rough and hazardous trail straight up the mountainside. By all accounts, the first visitors found the cave exceptionally decorated with colorful deposits of flowstone and other formations. Within only a few years, however, souvenir hunters and miners had damaged the cave, selling much of their treasures to museums and universities and to commercial enterprises who made decorative objects from the cave deposits.

Not until 1915 was a second cave discovered. That summer a group of families from Lehi, Utah, came to American Fork Canyon for a day’s outing. While the rest of the group explored Hansen Cave, teenagers James W. Gough and Frank Johnson climbed around the rocky slope outside. By chance they stumbled across a hole not far from the entrance to Hansen Cave. It was the entrance to Timpanogos Cave. Many people explored the cave, seeing its exquisite formations, including the Great Heart of Timpanogos, but for some reason knowledge of the cave and its whereabouts faded.

Then on August 14, 1921, Timpanogos Cave was rediscovered. An outdoor club from Payson, Utah, had come to see Hansen Cave and investigate rumors of a second cave. It was Veral J. Manwill, a member of the club who confirmed the rumors by rediscovering Timpanogos Cave. The group explored the cave and decided to keep the find a secret and come back in two weeks to explore some more. That very night, “by the light of campfire, [we] discussed our find,” Manwill wrote, “and talked about ways and means to preserve its beauty for posterity instead of allowing it to be vandalized as Hansen’s Cave had been.” The people around that fire dedicated themselves to the cave’s preservation.

Even as this group was organizing, the Forest service was conducting their own search to discover the mysterious cave. When the Payson Alpine Club returned two weeks later, Forest Rangers Walter Mann and Vivian West followed their path up the steep canyon slopes and met them at the entrance to the cave. The club shared their discovery with the rangers and expressed their desire to protect it from vandals and mining operations. Their visit allowed the Forest Service to declare the cave to be a Public Service Site that granted the cave a small amount of protection from miners and treasure seekers.

The beautiful cave was named Timpanogos Cave, and the fame of the cave spread throughout the state and beyond. The local Forest Service wanted to protect the cave but also enable people to see it. A trail was constructed, lights were strung through the cave, and tours began. Its success was immediate. People traveled from throughout the United States to see the magnificent cave. Despite the growing attraction, there were many that also wished to mine the cave and remove the fragile cave formations.

The excitement of rediscovering the natural wonders of Timpanogos Cave had not died down when a third cave-Middle Cave-was found that fall in 1921. George Heber Hansen and Wayne E. Hansen, son and grandson of Martin Hansen, were in American Fork Canyon hunting deer. As they looked through binoculars at the south slope of the canyon from the opposite side, they spotted an opening near the other two cave entrances. Within days they returned to this new cave-Middle Cave-with a large exploring party equipped with ropes, flashlights, and candles. In the party was pioneer cave-finder Martin Hansen, by then 74 years old.

In 1922 the caves were declared a national monument to protect them forever for their scientific importance and for the enjoyment of people. As more visitors came to tour the caves, the Forest Service reinforced their efforts to protect the caves and educate the public about this unique and fragile resource. In 1933, management of Timpanogos Cave National Monument was transferred from the Forest Service to the National Park Service, who has continued to preserve the cave ever since.

The monument is found nestled within the steeply-walled American Fork Canyon. The elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to 9,500 feet. At an elevation of 11,750 ft, Mt. Timpanogos is the 2nd highest mountain in Utah’s Wasatch Range. The word Timpanogos (tim´p?­no´gas) comes from the Timpanogots Ute tribe who lived in the surrounding valleys from A.D. 1400. The name translates as rock (tumpi-), and water mouth or canyon (panogos). In the center of the monument flows the American Fork River.

Some of the Earth’s most powerful and delicate forces combined to create the wonders of Hansen, Middle and Timpanogos caves, beginning when the Wasatch Range was building. Tremendous mountain-building forces slowly uplifted and fractured the sedimentary rock.

The caves were dissolved later along fractures now called Hansen, Middle and Timpanogos faults in the Desert limestone. Apparently rising hot water and descending cold water were important factors in the cave’s origins. Natural weak carbonic acid dissolved the rock to form the caves, which were created at the level of an ancient water table and later invaded by a stream for a short time.

Then a change occurred. Water that filled or partially filled the caves drained. As more water seeped into the air-filled caves, it decorated them with fantastic formations. Water trickling through the limestone overlying the caves dissolved calcite and other minerals from the rock. Then, upon entering an underground chamber, the water deposited its mineral load as a tiny crystal on a cave ceiling, wall, or floor.

Over thousands of years, as countless crystals were deposited, a variety of cave formations took shape-stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, helictites, and others. Each had its own shape and size, determined by how and where the water entered the cave, how long it flowed, and other factors.

Today, the caves are still changing: new formations are being created, and existing ones are growing where mineral-laden water continues to enter. In Timpanogos Cave a stalactite- stalagmite pair are growing closer year by year; today they are only ¾ inch apart, and if growth continues at the current rate, they will probably join in about 200 years. As long as water-the master architect and interior decorator-continues to trickle into the caves, creation will continue.

The Timpanogos Cave System is uniquely known for its high abundance of helictites, its coloration in its formations, its display of fault-controlled passages, and its alpine surroundings. Helictites are a spiraling cave formation that seems to defy gravity. They are as fragile as hand-blown glass. Helictites are formed when calcite crystals and dissolved impurities are forced out of a tiny central canal in the helictite by hydrostatic pressure. In simpler words water is pushed and pulled through a small opening where the forces of capillarity attraction and hydrostatic pressure are greater than the force of gravity. Timpanogos Cave’s abundance in helictites is thought to be caused by the large amounts of wall coatings and the small amount of fault movement that creates many small openings suitable for helictites.

In the Chime Chamber in Timpanogos Cave, there are hundreds of 6 to 10 inch long helictites, where they are usually only a few inches long. Timpanogos Cave contains formations displaying colors of green and yellow. X-ray analysis shows this rare green and yellow coloring to be from nickel being incorporated into the crystal structure.

Many different types of cave formations have been created by water simply dripping or flowing into the caves. Perhaps the most well-known of these are stalactites and stalagmites, which can be seen through-out the cave. Stalactites, which hang like icicles from the ceiling, form as drop after drop of water slowly trickles down through the cave roof. The smallest stalactites may be hallow, thin, and straight, and are so called soda straw stalactites. Others may be massive: The Great Heart of Timpanogos Cave-5 ½ feet long, three feet wide, 4,000 pounds-is composed of three, or possibly more tremendous stalactites that have grown together. The many colors of stalactites-and indeed all of the formations in the caves-are caused by traces of iron, nickel, manganese, and organics.

Stalagmites are formed when mineral-laden water strikes the floor. The tallest stalagmite is about 6 feet high in Timpanogos Cave; most are smaller. Occasionally stalactites and stalagmites merge, forming a floor-to-ceiling column. The cave’s largest column, 13 feet high, is found in Hansen Cave.

Another common formation, draperies, is created when water trickles down an inclined ceiling. A spectacular example of such a formation is the Frozen Sunbeam, a thin translucent sheet of orange-colored calcite in Timpanogos Cave. Draperies in these caves are seldom more than one inch think.

The Cascade of Energy and the Chocolate Fountain, both in Timpanogos Cave, are examples of another type of formation-flowstone. As its name implies, the smooth coatings or sculpted terraces of flowstone are created when water flows down a wall or across a floor. A particularly impressive specimen decorates a wall in the Big Room of Middle Cave.

Frostwork, like its name depicts, resembles hoarfrost growing outside on a foggy winter day. Most frostwork found in Timpanogos Cave is formed from aragonite, an unstable form of calcite. The delicate nature of these tiny crystals makes them particularly susceptible to damage and vandalism.

Still another, not quite so common, type of formation found in the caves is cave popcorn. Popcorn occurs where water seeps slowly through pores in the rock or in thin films down rock walls. These knobby limps are particularly abundant in Timpanogos Cave, where they are mixed with helictites.

The caves’ natural world offers many features besides unusual crystal formations. Small, clear pools occur where water has collected; mirror-like, they reflect their other-worldly surroundings. There are 30 such pools and lakes in the Timpanogos Cave system. One pool, Hidden Lake, can be seen in Timpanogos Cave. In some pools, small wall-like formations made of calcite form rimstone dams.

The passages in Timpanogos Cave are greatly controlled by faulting. Looking at a map of Timpanogos Cave, one sees many paralleling passages following the fault trends. Along the cave tour, visitors can see these fault lines running along the passages. The initial pathways that water followed were these faults. In some areas of the cave like the Imagination Room, passages dip along the bedding planes and follow the direction of the fault lines. Looking at the map of the cave, one wonders if other cave passages exist following similar fault lines.

Timpanogos Cave is surrounding by an Alpine environment. The cave trail adds to the remoteness of the cave and offering spectacular views of the geology. Unlike other tourist caves, this alpine remoteness is unique. Because of this remoteness, the cave escapes the polluted air and contaminated watersheds.

The cave is closed for 6 months due to heavy snowfalls. Even though temperatures can be below freezing in the winter, the caves keep a fairly constant temperature of 46 degrees F and 100% humidity. In years of heavy snowfall, snow is shoveled off the cave trail in preparation for opening the caves and cave trail in the spring.

A very long time ago, a shallow warm sea covered most parts of the state of Utah. As small marine animals died, their skeletons settled in the sediments. Under immense heat and pressure, the sediments hardened into limestone rock. Upon close inspection, the fossils of these ancient marine animals can be seen in the layers of rock. These fossils can be seen near or inside the cave. The most common types of fossils are Horn Corals, Crinoids, and Brachiopods. These oddly shaped, white deposits in the rock serve as evidence of a constantly changing planet.

A wonderful variety of grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees are found within Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The park’s elevation ranges from 5000 feet to 9500 feet creating many different plant communities. Plants with similar condition requirements (elevation, rainfall, soil type) are found growing together within the same community. The Monument has 4 main plant communities: riparian, coniferous, mountain-brush, and sub-alpine.

The riparian community, an environment influenced by a river, is easy to recognize and can be found on the canyon floor. Within the dark and fertile soil, Cottonwoods, Box Elder Maples and water loving grasses hug the shore of the American Fork River. The plants are dependent on the high quantities of water found within the community.

On the sunny north side of the canyon, the Mountain-Brush community is found. Scrub Oak, Big Tooth Maple, Rabbitbrush, and Mexican Cliffrose are just a few of the shrubs and trees that can be found in this area. All these plants require little water and high intensity sunlight.

On the shadier south side of the American Fork Canyon, the majority of the coniferous community reaches high into the sky. Douglas and White Fir grow tall and strong, creating winter shelter for the canyon animals.

Above the cave on the south side of the canyon exists a sub-alpine community. This plant community is known for its Quaking Aspen and fields of wildflowers. Flowers such as Mountain Bluebells, Penstemons, and Wild Onion create a beautiful scene for any hiker. Unfortunately, the sub-alpine community cannot be reached within the monument. However the back side of Timpanogos Mountain has a wonderful example of this community. If you would like to take this trip, ask for directions at the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is unique to most of Utah national park’s because its climate supports forests. The Monument has many wonderful trees that provide food for animals and shade the cave trail providing visitors with a cool and attractive hike. The Monument has three different forest types: Montane Chaparral/Shrub, Mixed-Conifer Forest, and Quaking Aspen Forest.

The Montane Chaparral/Shrub forest is found mostly on the south-facing slope of the park where the soil is poor and dry. Composed primarily of Gambel oak and Bigtooth maple, Montane Chaparral/Shrub communities also contain Curleaf mountain mahogany, Rubber rabbitbrush, and Cliff rose. The Gambel Oak often appears shrubby and is therefore commonly known as Shrub Oak. Its leaves are lobed and deeply divided. Gambel Oak is often found in groups of at least a dozen trees. These groups are clones usually produced after a fire by one tree’s root system. In the summer and fall, Gambel Oak’s acorns are an important source of food for mule deer and elk. This tree was also used by Native Americans for food and wood. The Big Tooth Maple is often shrub-like in appearance with leaves that have 3 to 5 tooth-like lobes. It evolved from its eastern cousin the Sugar Maple. This causes scientists to argue whether Big Tooth Maple should be considered its own species or a variation of the Sugar Maple. In the fall it paints the canyon with brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows making it a favorite among campers and hikers. In the winter, Mule deer depend heavily on this vegetation type for food.

The Mixed-Conifer Forest, found along the cave trail, consists mostly of Douglas-fir, and white fir. The White Fir grows 60 to 100 feet tall and can live up to 300 years. Its needles are silvery blue to silvery green and are relatively flat curving up from the stem. The trunk has a whitish grayish color and is used for lumber. In the winter White Fir is often used for Christmas trees by humans and for food by squirrels. The rich, moist soils allow for the development of a diverse understory of forbs, grasses, and shrubs. Mixed-Conifer Forests historically have burnt every 10 years; however, with fire suppression, this no longer occurs. In absence of fire, these forests have undergone major changes in structure and species composition.

At the top of the monument on the north facing slope, communities of Quaking Aspen can be found. Here, large amounts of sunlight and favorable soil conditions create a rich understory of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Aspens reproduce by cloning: creating forests of trees that are all genetically identical.

There are many people who don’t understand the difference between a shrub and a tree. Unlike trees which have one woody stem called the trunk, shrubs are plants that have many woody stems. Shrubs are valuable for a number of reasons such as, food for humans and animals, fuel, soil stabilization, and beauty. Timpanogos Cave National Monument has a great diversity of shrubs. Some of the more common ones found are: Mexican Cliffrose, Rubber Rabbitbrush, and Woods Rose.

Mexican Cliffrose has a creamy yellow flower, light red bark, and feathery fruits. It is found on sunny hillsides, and is used by wildlife in the winter as a source of food and by humans to make tea. The Native Americans have used the plant’s bark for making baskets and the wood for constructing arrows.

Rubber Rabbitbrush is a large shrub with linear, grayish blue leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. This plant likes to establish itself in disturbed sites and is found on sunny hillsides. It is a unique shrub because it has small amounts of rubber and resin (used to make plastic) found within its branches.

Woods Rose is a small shrub with rose-like leaves and small flowers with five pink petals. It is found in areas that receive more water than surrounding arid environments. The petals of the Woods Rose are used for potpourri and the pollen is used by honey bees. The hips can be used to make tea, fruitcakes, jellies, and puddings.

Wildflowers make Timpanogos Cave National Monument absolutely gorgeous in the spring and summer by bringing a diversity of color to the canyon. Flowers are also the food source to many small animals in the canyon such as chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Within the Monument, there are wildflowers that bloom in the spring, early summer, and mid-summer. Some of these flowers include: Alum Root, Miner’s Lettuce, Firecracker Penstemon, and Blazing Star.

Alum Root is a perennial found flowering in the spring on rocky cliffs both near and on the trail. It hugs the ground with small, dark green leaves and short stems (under 1”) with white to pink flowers. The spring leaves are edible boiled or steamed and the root eaten raw will usually cure diarrhea.

Miner’s Lettuce typically grows in shady moist areas along the cave trail in the spring. Leaves at the ends of the stalks are green and circular (up to 2” in diameter) with a small, white flower growing from its center. Miner’s Lettuce was used by pioneers and Native Americans as an herb and for salads.

Firecracker Penstemon is a gorgeous perennial that produces stocks of tubular scarlet flowers in early summer. Its leaves are a shiny dark green. It can be found in many environments and along the cave trail. Hummingbirds will stake territories over Firecracker Penstemon patches and risk all to defend their prime nectar source.

Blazing Star is a short-lived perennial herb that blooms in mid-summer and can at times behave as an annual. Its leaves may appear weedy, but its cream-yellow flower is very showy. They are often called “Stick-leaf” because of the barbed leaves that easily cling to clothing. The seeds are edible when parched and ground.

The Monument also has many beautiful grasses. Some examples of grasses found within the monument are: Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Muttongrass, and Indian Ricegrass.

Bluebunch Wheatgrass is a blue-green grass that grows in bunches sending off long stalks with rows of seeds. It grows on dry hillsides where it gets plenty of sun. Ranchers have historically fed their cattle on Bluebunch Wheatgrass and it is a great source of food for wildlife too.

Muttongrass is a shorter grass that has clusters of small silvery pink flowers. It grows along the entire trail leading to the cave. This grass has also been traditionally used for grazing. The name shows the value shepherds place on this grass for sheep feed.

Indian Ricegrass is a delicate, airy, grass that has been slowly disappearing from the west due to overgrazing. This grass was once used by Native Americans to make bread, especially when the corn crop failed. Today it is found in dry harsh environments along the cave trail that have not been overly disturbed by human contact. Indian Ricegrass is Utah’s state grass.

On the trail leading to the cave, crusty red, green, grey, and orange lichens can be seen growing on bare rock. As you see them, please do not attempt to remove them because they grow at extremely slow rates. On average, they will enlarge 0.1 to 1 millimeter a year. Lichens are composed of both fungus and algae that live together in a beneficial relationship. The alga provides food for the fungus, and the fungus retains water for the algae. By helping each other out they form lichens that can live in extreme environments. Lichens are useful in many ways. Humans use them to create color dyes and perfumes. Small insects create shelters and nests within them. Lichens are also partially responsible for the initial soil break down after disasters such as mass wasting.

There are many special programs to choose from. Cave tours are offered daily during the summer and fall season. Evening programs are offered every Friday, Saturday and Monday from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Junior Ranger programs are offered on Saturdays, Memorial Day until Labor Day.

Ranger programs are a great way to expand your exploration of Timpanogos Cave National Monument and American Fork Canyon. Spend a few minutes or a few hours with them as they share information, stories, and their own discoveries. A variety of interpretive ranger programs are offered during the summer months (May through September).

Join a park ranger for an in-depth look at some of the compelling stories and interesting resources at Timpanogos Cave National Monument and American Fork Canyon. From snakes to birds of prey, from fire ecology to campfire sing-a-longs, there is something for everyone, at any age. These are offered Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings, Memorial Day until Labor Day and last about 1 hour.

The Junior Ranger Program teaches children about the natural and cultural history of the monument and canyon. Junior Ranger patio talks are given Saturday mornings and on holidays at the visitor center, Memorial Day until Labor Day. These ranger presented programs cover a variety of interesting topics for kids of all ages. Children may become a “Junior Ranger” at anytime by participating in the program and earning a Junior Ranger badge or patch and certificate. Requirements to become a Junior Ranger include completing the free Jr. Ranger booklet, going on a cave tour, or attending an evening program, and helping to pick up litter. Once the kids have completed these requirements they can return to the visitor center and receive a Junior Ranger badge or patch and certificate certifying their status as a Timpanogos Cave Junior Ranger. Junior Ranger booklets are available at the visitor center.

Explore a world underground, deep inside the mountain, along the 3/4-mile tour. Timpanogos Caves may only be entered with a guided tour. Highly decorated caves with gravity defying helictites, fragile anthodite crystals and flowing cave drapery are among the many formations that adorn the caves and winding passages. These unique formations and the fascinating human history are a few of the things that make the caves such a special place. Before you begin your hike to the caves, be sure to buy your tickets at the visitor center. Cave tours are offered daily throughout the summer season and are led by park rangers. Cave tours are 45-60 minutes long and are limited to 20 people per tour. The only access to the cave system is by walking a strenuous 1 1/2-mile-paved trail, which rises 1,065 ft to an elevation of 6,730 feet above sea level. The round-trip hike and tour of the cave system takes about three hours.

The 1-1/2 miles long paved trail to the cave is also a popular attraction. The trail provides spectacular views of the geology of the American Fork Canyon and the expanding cities of the Utah Valley. The Canyon Nature Trail, a ¼ mile walk, is across the street at the pedestrian bridge. Two picnic areas are also located in the monument: across the street from the visitor center and Swinging Bridge Picnic area is located ¼ mile down the canyon on the north side of the road.

Over 200 miles of hiking trails in the canyon range from level and easy to steep and arduous. Stop and ask a Ranger at the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center or Pleasant Grove District Office for recommended hikes, maps and guides. Enjoy the multiple use trails available in the Uinta National Forest and take a bike ride or horseback ride where no cars can go.

The 20-mile Alpine Scenic Drive winds through rugged canyons of the Wasatch Range offering stupendous views of Mt. Timpanogos and other glacier-carved peaks. The route follows Utah 92 up American Fork Canyon and continues through Uinta National Forest into Provo Canyon on U.S. 189. Along the way, about 7.5 miles off the Alpine Loop, on Road 114, you can see Cascade Springs. This beautiful site consists of boardwalks over springs cascading down the mountain slope in a series of limestone terraces and pools.

Take the time to camp under the stars for a night or a week. American Fork Canyon has four developed campgrounds. Each site offers a table, grill, and access to water and restrooms during the summer.

Fishing is allowed in the Monument with a valid fishing license. Fish for Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout while there.

Some areas of the Canyon can be used for ATV’s, four-wheel drives and motorcycles. Be sure to stay on the paths and do not destroy plants.

During the winter you can enjoy winter camping, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in nearby Uinta National Forest.

Many environmental factors or issues affect the condition of the park’s resources. These can include nonnative species, pests, water quality, and weather conditions.

The National Park Service defines nonnative and exotic species as “those occurring outside their native ranges in a given place as a result of actions by humans.” Many nonnative species exist in apparent harmony in the environments where they are introduced. The most important aspect of an alien species is how it responds to a new environment. These nonnative species can be considered “invasive” species if it displays rapid growth and spread, establishes over large areas, and persists. This rapid establishment disturbs its surrounding ecosystem that has slowly evolved over the centuries.

The Park Service attempts to control these invasive species because of their impact on the native animal and plant communities that belong within the park. This effort can be very difficult and at times controversial. Some biologist think that introduced invasive species could be the greatest threat to the park’s natural ecosystems. Some of these species that are not native to the park are: Downy Brome, Brown Trout, and Rocky Mountain Goat.

Downy Brome, also called “Cheatgrass”, was introduced to North America from the Mediterranean area of Europe sometime before 1861. Its first recorded appearance was in wheat fields in Washington, Utah, and British Columbia. It has now spread over the entire United States of America. This grass has a tendency to take over and eliminate fields of native grasses. In mid summer Downy Brome dries out, creating large flammable spaces in the foothills of Utah. Many fires in Utah are started in carpets of Cheatgrass. In the monument, it is controlled by pulling the plant out and planting native grasses, forbs, and shrubs in its place.

The Brown Trout is native to Europe and western Asia. During the past 100 years, the species has been established in many of the cool and cold water areas of Utah including American Fork Canyon, where it is now one of the most popular sport fish in the state. Brown Trout have a tendency to eat other fish and by doing so, can have a negative impact on other fish species. Measures are now being taken in order to protect the existing native Cutthroat Trout fish populations.

The Rocky Mountain Goat naturally occurs in southeastern Alaska, western Canada, and in parts of northern Idaho, Montana, and Washington. It was not found in Utah until the 1960’s when it was introduced into Little Cottonwood Canyon. Although some scientists believe that it may once have existed in Utah, there is no physical evidence such as bones from archaeological digs that may indicate that it belongs here. For this reason, it is considered a nonnative species.

Lichens are indicator species, meaning that they indicate whether or not the environment is healthy. They are extremely sensitive to air pollution and will not grow where there are too many pollutants in the air. For this reason, scientists use lichens to measure the degree of health in many different environments. As you see them, please do not attempt to remove them because they grow at extremely slow rates. On average, they will enlarge 0.1 to 1 millimeter a year.

In the cave, water flow and quality is a high concern. The water in the cave is the “life” of formations and the cave’s ecosystem. Changes in the water quantity or quality may have irreversible affects on the entire cave system. Water quality and quantity can be affected by use of the land in and adjacent to the monument. The park tries to properly manage the uses within the cave’s watershed. Grazing, off-road vehicle use, camping, fires, and outhouses can alter hydrologic processes and affect the water quality.

In 2003 and 2004, the park acquired funds to document the cave’s water quality. The project sampled for all possible contaminants that may exist now or in the future. The primary results show most of the contaminants tested were lower than the tests could detect. The park will continue to monitor the water quality. Hopefully, any contamination will be detected early and a solution will be performed before the water quality has irreversible affects on the cave.

The water quantity is studied in the cave by routinely recording the rates of formation’s drip and the water levels of the cave’s lakes. The drip rates are measured manually by recording the amount of the water obtained in graduated cylinders over time. Drip rates are also measured using tipping bucket rain gages. Through these techniques, the cave’s water recharge rates and climatic changes can be defined.

Microbes are the most numerous and diverse form of life on the planet. Many of these life forms could contain new antibiotics. Microbes play an important part in acid production which breaks down limestone caves over time. Introducing microbes from outside the cave environment can have a lasting impact on these organisms and destroy valuable information.

A survey of microbial organisms in the Timpanogos Cave System is being performed at the Crandall Lab at Brigham Young University to understand their role in the cave’s ecology. Being on the bottom of the food chain, microbial communities are the first to respond to ecologic threats such as introduced contaminates and chemical changes. The microbe studies will produce a method of early detection to respond to ecosystem threats before irreparable harm occurs.

Samples were collected from both “pristine” and “disturbed” sites throughout the cave. The pristine sites are locations with very little visitation or human disturbance. The disturbed sites are locations near the tourist trail that are introduced to outside debris. By comparing the results from the pristine and disturbed sites, we hope to learn how the microbial communities are affected by visitation and trail development so we can restore these environments to a their more pristine conditions.

Weather at Timpanogos Cave National Monument greatly varies throughout the seasons. In winter, the canyon is often covered in a blanket of white snow. Temperatures can be very cold nearing 0° F (-18° C). In spring the temperature warms up allowing the snow to melt and it begins to rain significantly more. During the summer, weather in northern Utah is generally sunny with high temperatures reaching around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. At times the weather in the canyon can be unpredictable and visitors should be ready for all conditions throughout the year. Elevation at the visitor center is 5,500 feet; 6,700 feet at the cave entrance. In the summer, fierce afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. Humidity and moisture during the summer are very low. During fall, the temperature cools considerably and begins to occasionally rain. The Visitor Center has an average of 90 inches of snow a year and 25 inches of rain a year.

Current Park Weather

Mid-summer temperatures on the trail can reach 100 degrees F. However, temperatures in the caves average 45 degrees, so a sweater or light jacket is recommended. Hiking shoes, water, flashlights and sunscreen will make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Because of the steepness and incline of the cave trail, strollers and other wheeled vehicles are not allowed. Visitors may bring a baby backpack or carrier for hiking to the caves, but they will be asked to leave their baby carriers outside while they tour the caves with infants in arms. No pets are allowed on the cave trail or in the caves. Cameras are allowed, but a flash is needed. Camera tripods are not allowed in the caves. Visitors are welcome to bring snacks and eat along the trail. Food, drink, and walking sticks are not permitted in the cave.

Due to the steep grade of the cave trail and the narrow passages and stairs in the caves, the caves and cave trail are not wheel chair accessible. A full length cave tour is available to view at the wheelchair accessible visitor center.

There is little soil cover on the precipitous slopes of American Fork Canyon, and bare rock ledges are common. The highly fractured, exposed limestones are subject to extreme weathering conditions, thereby increasing the possibility of rockfall throughout the canyon. Be aware of the increased potential of rockfall on windy or rainy days, or during spring snow melt off. Kicking loose rocks off the trail may cause injuries to people below you.

Slip/fall hazards are present on many trails within the canyon, especially during cooler weather when trails are moist. Watch your children. Your hand and voice may be too far away once your child leaves your side. Use extra care around waterfalls, ridges, overlooks and wildlife.

Flash floods and snow avalanches occasionally occur in American Fork Canyon. Avalanche release zones may be well above you and not within your site.

Be sure and use the Leave-No-Trace principles even when just hiking. Pack out all trash and be careful where you step. Remember to leave the land better than you found it and keep it pristine for future visitors.

The Wilderness areas are protected areas. No campfires are allowed in Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. Visitors should practice the Leave-No-Trace ethics, avoid cutting switchbacks, and limit group sizes to 15 persons or less. Use of motorized or mechanized equipment, including bikes, within the wilderness is prohibited.

Although the park is only 250 acres, it has a respectable diversity in wildlife. The park has sightings recorded for 55 mammal species, 2 fish species, 51 bird species, and 4 reptile species. The Monument is found nestled within the steeply-walled American Fork Canyon. The elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to 9,500 feet. In the center of the monument flows the American Fork River.

These extreme conditions create desirable habitats for large mammals such as Mountain Goats, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Moose, Mule Deer, and Black Bears. The canyon also supports small mammals such as Ringtail Cats, Longtail Weasels, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, packrats, and bats. Each species of mammal plays an important role in the park’s “circle of life.” Small mammals such as rodents and bats help control the population of insects; larger mammals, like ringtail cats, help control the population of rodents. Plant eating mammals help distribute seeds.

The Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat is known for its particularly large pink ears. Like many other bats it hunts at night and sleeps in caves. Every winter this bat must hibernate in an undisturbed cave. If disturbed, it will leave the warmth of the cave to battle winter conditions in attempts to find a peaceful, undisturbed home. At this time the Townsend Big-Eared Bat population is declining at a fast rate and is now listed as a threatened species. This bat uses Timpanogos Caves temporarily as a home but does not hibernate in Hansen, Middle or Timpanogos Cave.

The canyons hot 100° F (38° C) summers supports reptiles such as the Great Basin Rattlesnake, Gopher Snake, Rubber Boa, and Sage Lizard. This low diversity is most likely due to the extreme nature of the topography and terrain within the Monument. Because reptiles are cold-blooded or “ectothermic,” they must carefully choose their habitats. The Monument experiences extremes in weather ranging from over 100° F (38° C) in the summer to 5° F (-15° C) in the winter. These harsh conditions are unfavorable for producing a high diversity of reptiles.

Although common to the Timpanogos Cave area, the Rubber Boa Snake is rarely seen. This shy snake is nocturnal, awaking into activity long after most visitors have departed. Also known to be well adapted to digging, the rubber boa spends much of its time underground in rodent holes or under rocks and logs. Small in size, 14-33 inches, and uniform tan in color, the Rubber Boa resembles a large worm in appearance. The Gopher Snake, or Bull Snake, is much more common. This large, 48 to 100 inches, and powerfully built snake is common over much of Utah and throughout North America. Gopher Snakes can be found in a variety of habitats and are active during the day. They are yellowish or cream colored with dark blotches on their back and sides. When threatened, gopher snakes will hiss loudly, flatten their heads, vibrate their tails, and lunge at the intruder. Through their color patterns and behavior, they can be mistaken for Rattlesnakes.

The most commonly seen snake in the Monument is the Great Basin Rattlesnake. They are primarily found on the ground often in rocky cliff areas. They are typically light tan, yellowish, or light gray in color, with dark blotches on their backs. Like all pit vipers, they use heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils for finding prey. Most Great Basin rattlesnakes will rattle their tails in warning before striking, but some do not rattle. They over winter together in communal den sites.

Also common to the cave trail is the Sagebrush Lizard. These lizards are medium, 5 to 6 inches in size, and are typically gray or brown with many stripes down the length of their bodies. Male sagebrush lizards have blue patches along the sides of their belly and blue speckles on their throat. They spend most of their time on the ground basking in the sun or searching for unsuspecting insect meals. Sagebrush lizards will hibernate through the cold winter months using rock piles or rodent burrows for cover.

The American Fork River supports 2 species of introduced fish, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Only one species, the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, is native to the area. Being pushed out by the more competitive exotic fish, Bonneville Cutthroat Trout only exists in the extreme upstream sections of the American Fork River.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument has a wide variety of birds that are representative of those found throughout the canyons of the Wasatch Front. The birds found along the riparian areas of the American Fork River often extend their habitats from streamside to high up the canyon walls foraging in the foliage and on the ground. The canyon supports commonly seen birds such as the American Dipper, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Canyon Wren, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Western Tanager, Violet-Green Swallow, and Steller’s Jays. Occasional visits are seen from large birds such as Red-Tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcon, and Golden Eagles.

Take a walk along the Swinging Bridge Nature Trail and look for American Dippers feeding along the river. While hiking the cave trail you are likely to encounter a variety of birds that inhabit both riparian and montane habitats such as the Steller’s Jay, Broad-Tailed and Black-Chinned Hummingbirds, Orange-Crowned and Virginia’s Warblers, Black-Headed Grosbeaks, Chipping Sparrows, and Dark-Eyed Juncos. During the spring and summer keep an eye out for the Western Tanager whose brilliant red, yellow, and black breeding plumage is a delight to even the most seasoned enthusiast. As you enjoy the scenery of the canyon from the cave entrance you may see Golden Eagles, Red-Tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Violet Green Swallows, and Townsend’s Solitaires. You are sure to hear the descending trill of the Canyon Wren who often nests at the entrance to Hansen Cave.

Animals inhabit the caves, but they can be easily overlooked. Such barely noticeable creatures as cave spiders, centipedes, and crickets live here. An occasional bat roosts in the caves, but no large bat colony lives there. Occasionally a pack rat, mouse, or chipmunk visits. Without an underground stream or steady source of food, the caves are not well equipped to support a diversity of cave animals.

It is not uncommon for visitors to see a rattlesnake while hiking the trail to the caves. Be aware of their presence and be cautious. To avoid confrontation with a rattlesnake, always stay on the paved trail, don’t lean on the rock walls, and keep your eyes open around trash can areas. Notify a ranger as soon as possible with the locations of any snake sightings. See the Wildlife Precautions page for further safety tips.

Entrance into American Fork Canyon is necessary to reach Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The canyon is administered by the Uinta National Forest, and a fee of $3 per vehicle is required. The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Golden Age or Senior Pass, Golden Access or Access Pass are honored for entrance into the canyon. $10.00 for14 days and $25.00 for annual tickets can also be purchased.

Tour tickets may be purchased up to 30 days in advance with a major credit card To purchase advance cave tour tickets, call (801) 756-5238 during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A non-refundable .50 cent transaction fee is added to each ticket sold in advance over the phone. Please remember that anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Tour tickets may also be purchased in person at the visitor center up to the day of the tour, if still available. Tickets must be purchased at the visitor center before hiking to the caves; tickets cannot be purchased at the cave entrance. Gift certificates are available.

Cave Tour Fees:

Adults (age 16 and older) – $7

Junior (age 6-15) – $5

Child (age 3-5) – $3

Infant (age 0-2) – Free!

Senior/Access (Golden Age/Access) pass holders – 1/2 price

NOTE – The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass does not cover recreation use fees, such as cave tours, camping, and parking fees.

Introduction to Caving Tour, (age 14 and up): $15 per person. This tour introduces visitors to the sport of caving and caving ethics. Although it is not a wild caving experience, the tour does require bending, crawling, and passage through tight spaces. The tour is limited to five people, age 14 and older. Please call the visitor center for more information and to purchase advance tickets, 801-756-5238.

Campgrounds are located in the Uinta National Forest further up the canyon. American Fork Canyon has four developed campgrounds. Each site offers a table, grill, and access to water and restrooms during the summer. Reservations can be made with Reserve USA at www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-800-280-2267.

Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Wasatch Mountain State Park, Uinta National Forest, Lone Peak Wilderness, and Mount Timpanogos Wilderness all surround the Monument. Manti-La Sal National Forest, Ashley National Forest, Little Sahara B.L.M. Recreation Area, Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake are nearby the Monument. Dinosaur National Monument, Golden Spike National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are also nearby.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah. It is approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.

The closest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, 45 minutes away by automobile.

From I-15: If you are driving from the north or south on Interstate 15 take Exit 284 (Alpine-Highland exit), then turn east on State Highway 92 and proceed ten miles (16km) to the monument.

From U.S. 40 or U.S. 189: If you are driving from Heber City or Provo Canyon traveling on U.S. 40 or U.S. 189, take State Highway 92, passing by Sundance Resort and over the mountainous scenic route known as the Alpine Scenic Loop. Because of the narrow and winding road, buses and large vehicles over thirty feet are not allowed to travel on the Alpine Scenic Loop. The Alpine Scenic Loop is closed during the winter.

There is no public transportation to or in the monument. Utah Highway 92 runs east and west through the monument. Personal vehicles, bicycles, walking and hiking are means of transportation at the monument.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Timpanogos Cave National Monument :

By Car:

Salt lake City, UT – 33.13 miles

Provo, UT – 16.03 miles

Orem, UT – 10.85 miles

Park City, UT – 55.95 miles

Timpanogos Cave National Monument, R.R. 3 Box 200 American Fork, Utah 84003

Visitor Center (801) 756-5238

Headquarters (801) 756-5239

Fax (801) 756-5661

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