Be sure to check out our Park City and Salt Lake City Itinerary while planning you Timpanogos Cave Day Trip Itinerary!
*Last updated September 25, 2024
Timpanogos Cave Day Trip Itinerary
Table of Contents
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in Utah. It is southeast of Salt Lake City, southwest of Park City and north of Provo. Additionally, the cave and surrounding area is part of the National Park System.
Timpanogos Cave was designated as a national monument in 1922 by President Harding. There was pressure from locals to protect to protect the fragile cave structures from visitors and mining operations.
Today, Timpanogos Cave makes a wonderful day trip from Salt Lake City, Park City, Provo or any of the surrounding areas.
Reservations are required to hike the trail and tour the cave. Additionally, at the time of this article, you can book 2 weeks in advance.
Driving to Timpanogos Cave
When you make your reservations, you will receive information on routes to drive. Additionally, they say to not trust Google maps or your GPS. However, we did not have any problems with Google Maps, just be sure to enter “Visitor Center – Timpanogos Cave National Monument” and not just Timpanogos Cave National Monument. However, please be aware that some routes do not have a cell phone signal, so you may want to download off-line maps before you go.
From Salt Lake City Downtown, it is about 35 miles or 45 minutes to drive south on I-15 to east on 92
From Park City, Google Maps will route you through Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, you miss out on a beautiful drive to save just a few minutes. Instead, I recommend you drive 189 through Midway to 92 (Alpine Scenic Loop Byway). Stop to enjoy the Deer Creek Overlook. I’ve included the google map below.
From Provo, Google Maps takes you north up I-15, however, I’d prefer to go 189 to 92 through Sundance.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tour reservations are required (book in advance at the rec.gov site) to hike the trail and take a cave tour. Reservations are available to be made 2 weeks in advance of your visit.
- Cave tours are offered in the summer season (late spring through fall) and closed during winter. The trail can get very hot during summer heat in the middle of the day.
- The hike is 1.5 miles (each way) and on the national park site is listed as “strenuous”. However, it is fully paved. Additionally, it is only strenuous because it is all uphill (on the way up). There are some steep drops, but the trail is wide and I wouldn’t hesitate to take kids that are capable of moderate hiking. Kids 2 and under might do best in a backpack (strollers are not permitted).
- The reservation time is when you begin your hike up to the cave. However, the actual guided tour begins 2 hours after your reservation time. You may want to show up early if you are a slow hiker and see if they will let you have a head start on the trail.
- The cave tour lasts about 1 hour and temperature is around 45 degrees, so you may want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt in the cave.
Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center
Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center is the start of your Timpanogos tour. The tour time on your reservation is 2 hours before your actual cave tour. This gives you time to hike up to the cave for the tour. Additionally, the visitor center has restrooms, information about the cave, a passport book stamp and Jr Ranger books for the kids.
Also, the park ranger will give you a safety talk before your trip outlining the areas that may have rockslides so that you are aware what to watch out for and where not to stop.
Hiking up to Timpanogos Cave
Your reservation time allows 2 hours to hike the paved, 1.5 miles (all uphill) to Timpanogos Cave. Also, we showed early and they had no problem letting us go 15 minutes early.
If you are a slower hiker, you may want to arrive even earlier and give yourself an extra 30 minutes. However, most healthy people should have no problem making the journey in 2 hours, even with stopping to read all of the informational signs.
Paint on the trails marks where landslides are more frequent. Additionally, don’t stop moving along those portions of the trail.
Half of the fun of Timpanogos Cave is the beautiful mountain scenery you view on the hike up. Additionally, there are a lot of interesting geological features described in signs along the trail.
The Cave Tour: Hansen Cave, Middle Cave and Timpanogos Cave
Timpanogos Cave National Monument actually includes 3 separate caves: Hansen Cave, Middle Cave and Timpanogos Cave. Also, they were drilled out to connect the caves for visitors.
However, the unnatural air flow dried out the cave. Today, there are larger barrier doors between the caves that help keep the caves as they were originally.
The different caves have different minerals and show different features. You will see the normal stalactites, stalagmites and columns. However, you will also see some different colors (due to the mineral content) and some rarer cave features, like helictites (spiral formations).
The cave tour is approximately 1 hour. Additionally, the cave temperature is about 45 degrees (Fahrenheit), so you will likely want a jacket or sweatshirt for the cave tour.
Hiking Down from Timpanogos Cave
The hike down is almost the exact same route (except for the very top). While you would think that the hike down is easier than the hike up (and it is), you will definitely work those calf muscles and are going to feel the workout in the morning.
There is no timeframe for the hike down, so take your time and enjoy the scenery heading back down. In the distance you can see through the valley opening.
Make sure to stop in the visitor center if you didn’t get a chance before the tour.
Other Things to Do Around Timpanogos Cave
Be sure to check out full Park City and Salt Lake City Weekend when planning your Timpanogos Cave Day Trip Itinerary! We really enjoyed going to Mirror Lake (east of Park City) and the Great Salt Lake.
Additionally, there is a campground and other trails directly around Timpanogos cave, so you may want to extend your time to see more of the area.
Safe travels and I hope you have a good trip visiting Utah and Timpanogos Cave National Monument!
