Timpanogos Cave National Monument is approaching its centennial/NPS

As the 100th birthday of Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah draws near, the National Park Service is kicking off the centennial countdown with a calendar of events for the 2021-2022 year.

“We’re excited to share this milestone celebration with people and communities who love, care for, and have visited the Timpanogos Cave," said Shannon Stephens, acting-superintendent. "The centennial is a time for reflection on the past and inspiration for the future. The nearby communities helped create the monument 100 years ago and have been critical to the continued success in that time. We honor those who have worked, hiked and enjoyed the trail and the caves during the last 100 years.”

Events at the park include a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the visitor center and new exhibits in October 2021, community history programs in the winter, a trail hiking challenge in summer 2022, star parties in summer, an Arts in the Park event, and ending with a centennial celebration on October 14, 2022.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument was created on October 14th 1922. President Warren G. Harding signed the proclamation creating the park to protect the caves for their “unusual scientific interest.”

The creation of the park came through the preservation efforts of many Utahns from American Fork, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Highland and other Utah Valley citizens. Tours began in the spring of 1922 with visitors initially only visiting Timpanogos Cave, but later in 1939 the tour was expanded through the development of tunnels to include Hansen Cave and Middle Cave. Visiting the caves has been extremely popular for both local and international visitors throughout its 100-year history.