Timpanogos Cave National Monument gears up to celebrate 100th year
Apr 29, 2022, 4:19 PM | Updated: 4:21 pm
Visitors can go on the Centennial Lantern Tour, which is lit solely by lanterns. Photo credit: Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
SALT LAKE CITY — Timpanogos Cave National Monument announced its cave tour season would begin in mid-May. October 2022 will mark 100 years since the park was created.
“Over the last 100 years, there is a tradition of many families coming to see the cave, communities that have supported the success of the park, and decades of bringing people together. We honor everyone that has worked here and hiked to the caves and we invite you back to celebrate with us all year long,” said Cami McKinney, acting superintendent of Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
History of the park
President Warren G. Harding created the park on October 14, 1922, by signing a proclamation in order to protect the caves. The park cited the “unusual scientific interest” in the cave as the reason President Harding signed the proclamation.
The park said the creation of the Timpanogos Cave National Monument was a result of “preservation efforts of many people from American Fork, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Highland, and other Utah Valley citizens.”
Tours began in 1922, initially just allowing visitors to Timpanogas Cave. Tours of Hansen Cave and Middle Cave followed in 1923 after the addition of tunnels.
Celebrating the centennial
In addition to its usual daily cave tours, the park will also have a Centennial Lantern Tour which will be lit with nothing but lanterns. The ranger-guided tour lets visitors “discover what early explorers experienced,” according to the park.
The park said that cave tours would begin on May 18. Tickets can be purchased up to 30 days in advance.
The park will also celebrate its centennial with several activities:
- a birthday party for the park on October 14,
- a 100 hike challenge for those who can do 100 hikes,
- free Saturday activities for kids and families,
- star parties in the summer,
- an Arts in the Park event,
- new exhibits in the visitor center.
Information about the park including passes, directions, and conditions can be found on the National Park Service website.
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