While winter's snows are slowing the opening of Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah for the summer, the monument is ready to mark its centennial as a unit of the National Park System.
Due to unprecedented snow and the resulting damage to the trail leading to the caves, tours aren't scheduled to begin until May 31 to allow park staff more time to clear snow and repair the trail. Tickets are available for purchase up to 30 days in advance starting May 14th. The visitor center will be open May 17.
“Timpanogos Cave National Monument just turned 100 years old, and we are looking to the next 100 years. We invite people to come to the park and to enjoy our new Centennial Lantern tour where visitors will explore the cave just as they did in the early years of cave tours — by the flicker of lantern light. Join us for our Music on the Mountain programs and catch artist sharing their love of the canyon through their art," said park manager Shannon Stephens. "For 100 years families and communities that have supported the success of the park and bringing people together and we look forward to seeing people come again.”
The monument was initially administered by the U.S. Forest Service, then transferred to the Park Service on Aug. 10, 1933.
Events at the park include:
· Daily lantern cave tours
· Music on the Mountain series on the trail and at the visitor center
· Star Parties in summer
· Various free Saturday programs for kids and families,
The new fee for the Centennial Lantern Tour will be $17 for people and limited to ages 7 years old and up. Regular cave tour fees are $12 (age 12 +), $7 (age 2-11), and $2 (age 1 and under). Details regarding these and other tours including ticket purchases, tour schedules, and other programs are available on the park website.