Timpanogos Cave Trail

Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 2 hours (The the round trip through the cave and back to the trailhead is about 3.5 miles and takes about 3 hours)
Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
Difficulty: 2
Overall: 8
Reference: North-central Utah, about 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, in Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
User groups: Hikers, kids. Although the trail is paved, wheeled devices are not allowed because it's too steep.
Permits: The trail to the cave is free for hiking, but you will need to purchase a permit to enter the cave. Permits are:
- Adults $7 (16 and older)
- Juniors $5 (6-15)
- Child $3 (3-5)
- Infant free (2 and under)

Directions

From Interstate 15 (Exit 287), take State Route 92 east about nine miles to the entrance on the south side of the road.

Maps

Trails Illustrated's Uinta National Forest. For a USGS topographic map, ask for Timpanogos Cave. A monument brochure describes the trail.

Contact

Timpanogos Cave National Monument, RR3 Box 200, American Fork, UT 84003; (801) 756-5239.

Trail notes

The paved trail with its resting benches and interpretive signs makes this a hike just about anybody can do. Rocks have been blasted away to eliminate steep grades. You can learn about the natural history and the people history of this area from the signs, the guides, and the visitor center. Inside the deep dark cave, lights help show the way as a guide interprets the walk. Fascinating towering and spiraling formations glitter in the light. Accessibility and the wonder of caves makes this a very popular destination in Utah, but winter snow closes the monument.

Information courtesy of Buck Tilton, author of Utah Hiking.