Timpanogas Cave
Provo, Utah
| Address: | 2038 Alpine Loop Rd, American Fork, UT 84003 |
| GPS: |
40°26'37.7"N 111°42'22.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Utah |
| Trail Length: | 3.10 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.5 mi |
Rocks Wildflowers Pet Friendly Motorized Use
Backpack, Cave, and Hike
Known for it's colorful cave decorations, the Timpanogas cave attracts numerous visitors per year, is steep but it's paved so that visitors can access the cave. To access the cave, visitors take a 1.5 mile on a trail, leading to the cave. The trails to the cave is only open for tours May through September depending on funding and weather conditions. There are many colorful cave features (rocks) including cave bacons, cave columns, flowstone, cave drapery and many others. These features are formed when water travels through a tube, evaporates and leaves mineral deposits at the end.
The cave was founded by two rock climbers, James W. Gough and Frank Johnson in 1913. In addition, other caves were found by hikers (middle cave and the Hansen cave-found prior to the Timpanogas cave.) The caves were known and venturers occasionally vandalized the Hansen cave; as a result the US Forest Service were called to protect and preserve the caves. The National Park Service maintained the caves after the US Forest Service and the WPA (Workers Progress Administration) built a number of park structures to showcase the caves.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Provo, Utah
- Head west on E Center St toward N University Ave (1.5 mi)
- Take the ramp onto I-15 N (9.4 mi)
- Take exit 275 toward Pleasant Grove/
American Fork (0.3 mi) - Turn right onto Pleasant Grove Blvd (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto N 2000 W St/
N County Blvd Continue to follow N County Blvd(5.5 mi) - Turn right onto UT-92 E/
W 11000 N Continue to follow UT-92 EParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(3.8 mi) - Turn right (20 ft)
From I-15, take the Alpine-Highland exit onto Hwy 92 and follow it east 10 miles to the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and trailhead are on your right as you drive up American Fork Canyon.
The trail is paved. It begins right by the Visitor Center and snakes up the mountain, climbing 1,160 feet. Along the way it provides spectacular views of American Fork Canyon and down into Utah Valley. The trail is steep but it is not very long and so virtually anyone can make the hike if they just take it slow. Carry plenty of water. Mid-summer temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees.
From U.S. 40 or U.S. 189, If you are arriving from Heber City or Provo Canyon, 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 winter. An alternate way is to travel U.S. 189 through Provo Canyon, turning west onto Orem 800 North (UT 52), then after 2.4 miles turn right onto State Street (Hwy 89). After 3.8 miles, turn onto Pleasant Grove 100 East (UT 146). Stay on this road for almost five miles, as it turns in Canyon Rd and takes you to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. When the road ends, turn right into the canyon (UT92) and drive up the canyon to the visitor center. Courtesy of nps.gov
Trails
Distance ?
1.5 milesElevation Gain ?
1,019 feetReal Ascent ?
1,674 feetReal Descent ?
655 feetAvg Grade (8°)
14%Grade (-63° to 73°)
-199% to 324%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.