Less than an hour from Salt Lake City is Timpanogos Cave, a U.S. Park Service national monument nestled into the mountains of the American Fork Canyon. Three limestone caves, Hansen, Middle and Timanagos, where discovered more than 100 years ago and were entered into the park service to protect the precious environments filled with stalactites, stalagmites, “popcorn” formations, underground pools, helictites and more. To access the caves for a tour, visitors hike a paved, steep 1.5-mile trail that climbs 1,100 feet, and once inside the caves, may only enter with a very small backpack, so this park is not a place to bring strollers, wheelchairs or young children. (My children were 9 and 10 when they made the climb and didn’t have any trouble.) Tours inside the caves are limited to 16 people, and in the busy summer months and weekends will sell out, so pre-purchase your tickets online. The 55-minute tour through the caves take visitors through the three separate caves with paved walking areas. An Introduction to Caving Tour takes visitors with helmets and headlamps through lesser explored areas, where climbing and crouching are expected. (Children must be 14 or older to participate in this tour.) Hiking roundtrip to the caves and participating in a tour will take about 3.5 hours. As part of the park system, children can participate in Junior Ranger programs at Timpanogos. If visiting the area, try the 20-mile Alpine Scenic Drive through the canyon, which is open late May through late October.