the natural beauty of this region. These mountains rock, just explore all the exciting things to do in the Wasatch Range. Provo River is a great whitewater spot in close proximity to Timpanogos Cave National Monument; there are plenty of folks from American Fork here. If you want
a great time in the great outdoors just come on up to the Wasatch Range. You'll need more than a day to discover everything Timpanogos Cave National Monument has to offer, you can camp at Riverbend Trailer Park; a short spree to Tooth Spring is always worthwhile.
Since you
might be in a lake visiting mood you can always stop at nearby Forest Lake, and if you need a spot to stay Zermatt Resort is a good choice. Big Tree Campground is a glorious campground nearby. Timpanogos Cave National Monument beyond doubt is in the middle of a lovely outdoors
paradise. Lakes? Sure, Emerald Lake is around here, and if the weather is magnificent, you can go for a hike along the Indian Trail.
Pine Flat is a splendid spot, unsurprisingly you could also pop by Dry Lake since you're here; it's not far at all.
Timpanogos Cave
National Monument sits high in the Wasatch Mountains. The cave system consists of three spectacularly decorated caverns. Each cavern has unique colors and formations. Helictites and anthodites are just a few of the many dazzling formations to be found in the many chambers. As visitors
climb to the cave entrance, on a hike gaining over 1,000 feet in elevation, they are offered incredible views of American Fork Canyon. CONTACTS Email - TICA_Ranger Activities@nps.gov Fax- 801-756-5661
Write to
R.R. 3, Box 200
American Fork, UT 84003-9803 Phone
Headquarters - 801-756-5239
Visitor Information - 801-756-5238
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons
The cave and cave trail are open from early
May to late October, weather permitting. The Visitor Center is open daily, during the cave tour season, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. After September 9, 2001 the Visitor Center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 28, 2001. During the Olympics (February 1 - February 24)
the visitor center will be open daily from 8:30 - 5:00. After February 24th the visitor center will be closed for the season and will reopen in May 2002. Getting There
PLANE - The closest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, and is 45 minutes
away by automobile. CAR - From I-15: If you are arriving from the north or south on Interstate 15 take Exit 287 (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 arriving 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. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to or in the monument. Weather & Climate
Ranging from 5,500 to 6,700 feet in elevation, summer days are warm (80's to
upper 90's) and nights are moderate (50's). Afternoon thundershowers are common during mid-to-late summer. Spring and fall are milder with highs generally in the 60's and 70's. Daytime winter highs average less than 50 degrees. Snowfall is usually moderate with frequent thaws.
The caves are 45 degrees (eight degrees Celsius), 100 % humidity year round, a jacket or sweatshirt and suitable walking shoes are recommended. Accessibility
The visitor center, snack bar/gift shop, restrooms, picnic areas, and drinking fountains are wheelchair
accessible. Because of the steep incline of the cave trail and the narrow passages in the caves, wheelchair access to the caves is not possible. However, a 45 minute video of an actual cave tour is shown upon request at the visitor center. A 22-minute closed-captioned orientation
video is also shown in the visitor center. Getting Around
Utah Highway 92 runs east and west through the monument. Personal vehicles, bicycles, walking and hiking are means of transportation at the monument. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee
AMERICAN
FORK CANYON ENTRANCE FEE
$3 for 3 Days
$10.00 for 14 Days
$25.00 for Annual
Entrance into American Fork Canyon is necessary to reach Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The canyon is administered by the Uinta National Forest, and an entrance fee
of $3 per vehicle is required. The National Parks Pass permits entrance into American Fork Canyon ONLY to visit Timpanogos Cave National Monument. A Golden Eagle Pass, National Parks Pass with the additional hologram sticker, or a purchased canyon pass is required to recreate in
the surrounding National Forest. Golden Eagle, Age and Access Passports are honored at the American Fork Canyon entrance station.
Activity Fee
CAVE TOUR (GOLDEN AGE/ACCESS)
1/2 price for card holders. The Golden Eagle and the National Parks Pass do not
cover recreation use fees, such as cave tours, camping, and parking fees.
CAVE TOUR, 45-60 MINUTES, ADULT (AGE 16 AND OLDER)
$6 for One Time
CAVE TOUR, CHILD (AGE 3-5)
$3 for One Time
CAVE TOUR, INFANT (AGE 0-2)
Free!
CAVE
TOUR, JUNIOR (AGE 6-15)
$5 for One Time
Cave tour tickets frequently sell out, especially on weekends and holidays. Tour tickets may be purchased up to 30 days in advance by calling the visitor center at 801-756-5238 and using your Mastercard or Visa. 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.
INTRODUCTION
TO CAVING TOUR, 90 MINUTES, (AGE 14 AND UP)
$15 for One Time
The Introduction to Caving 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 reserve tickets, 801-756-5238.
WAIVERS
To assist local educators with their curriculums, Timpanogos Cave National Monument frequently waives the
cave tour fee for educational or scientific institutions.
CAMPING
There are no campgrounds located in the monument.
There are several campgrounds in the adjacent Uinta National Forest. For more information, contact the Forest Service at 801-377-5780.
LODGING
There
are many lodging facilities located throughout the local communities.
FACILITIES
Visitor Centers
TIMPANOGOS CAVE VISITOR CENTER
Phone - 801-756-5238
Location - The visitor center is located on Highway 92 just 10 miles
from Interstate 15(2.2 miles from the mouth of American Fork Canyon) and 17.2 miles from U.S. 189.
Closures - Cave tours are only available early May through the end of October.
Special Programs - The monument offers a variety of ranger-guided programs at no
charge. These include guided walks, talks, and evening programs at the visitor center and in the surrounding area. Winter programs are held every other Monday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the visitor center, beginning January 2002.Call the visitor center, 801-756-5238,
for a list of programs or more information.
Exhibits - The visitor center offers historic and geologic displays, a hands-on display for children, a 22-minute orientation video, and a 45 minute actual cave tour video. During November through April, a photographic exhibit
about the history of the cave trail is on display.
Available Facilities - Visitor Center: Rangers are on duty to answer questions and provide information including travel and trail information, road conditions, weather updates and to sell cave tour tickets (during cave
tour season). A variety of books, posters and maps are available for purchase. Restrooms, drinking fountain, and pay phones are available. Snack Bar and Gift Shop (Concessions): Open mid-May through early November (same as cave season), it is located west of the visitor center.
Food, beverages, film, sweatshirts, and souvenirs are available. Call 801-756-5702 for more information. Picnic Area and Nature Trail: The Swinging Bridge Picnic Area is 1/4 mile west of the visitor center. There are picnic tables, fire grills, water and restrooms available. A
small picnic area is also located directly across from the visitor center. The Canyon Nature Trail is located across from the visitor center. Brochures in English and Spanish are available for the self-guided, 1/4 mile nature walk.
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