Compendium

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
TIMPANOGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH 84003

DESIGNATIONS, CLOSURES, PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED
UNDER THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
TITLE 36, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 1.7(b)

Under the provisions of 16 U.S.C., Section 3, and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, the following Superintendent’s Orders (compendium) are established for Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Unless otherwise noted, these orders apply in addition to the regulations contained in Parts 1-7 of Title 36 CFR and will remain in effect until amended.

Approved:
April 20, 2022
Cami McKinney
Acting Superintendent

SECTION 1.5 CLOSURES AND PUBLIC USE LIMITS

(a) Consistent with applicable legislation and Federal administrative polices, the superintendent has established the following rules, designations, conditions and restrictions on the following park activities:

(1) Visiting hours, public use limits, closures:
All park areas south of Utah Highway 92 except the existing paved cave trail; Timpanogos Cave, Middle Cave, and Hansen Cave and their connecting tunnels (hereinafter “the Timpanogos cave system”); and the Monument visitor center buildings, decks, sidewalks, parking lot and appurtenances are closed to public use.

On days when public cave tours are offered (generally mid-May – mid-October as determined by the Superintendent), the cave trail above the “1/4 Way Gate” is open from sunrise until the end of the last scheduled cave tour and closed to public use at all other times.

On days when public cave tours are not offered (generally mid-October – mid-May as determined by the Superintendent), the cave trail above the “1/4 Way Gate” is closed to public use.

The Superintendent may temporarily open the trail above the “1/4 Way Gate” to public use even if no cave tours are scheduled when staffing and weather conditions permit. Any temporary opening of the trail will be advertised on the park website (www.nps.gov/tica) and evidenced by the unlocking of the ¼ Way Gate and removal of trail closure signs at the trailhead.

The cave trail, or any portion thereof, may be closed at any time due to inclement weather, trail repair or maintenance, or other emergency or administrative need.

The cave trail is closed to the possession or use of any wheeled vehicle, device or conveyance, whether motorized or non-motorized, including but not limited to infant or child strollers, wheelchairs, wagons, and any other device capable of carrying a person inside, atop, or astride except by authorized personnel for emergency or administrative purposes.

The Timpanogos cave system and cave trail are closed to persons 16 years of age and under unless accompanied and supervised by an adult or working as an official NPS volunteer and with an approved parental agreement authorization.

The Timpanogos cave system is closed to all public entry at all times except when:
• accompanied by designated NPS staff on a conducted tour; or
• performing contracted or volunteer work under NPS authorization; or
• authorized by a Special Use Permit; or
• engaged in permitted research or a resource management project.

All park caves, mines, and tunnels other than the Timpanogos cave system are always closed to all entry and public use except as specifically authorized by the superintendent for administrative or research purposes.

Justification: The superintendent has determined that this closure is the minimum required for visitor safety and resource protection due to the steep, hazardous terrain, frequent rockfall, and delicate nature of the cave and natural environment in the area.

The Canyon Nature Trail is closed to the possession or use of bicycles.

Justification: Because this trail is heavily used by pedestrians, including those with infant strollers and wheelchairs unable to safely utilize the cave access trail, the superintendent has determined that this closure is required to prevent accidents, resource impact from off-trail riding to avoid other users, and similar user conflicts.

All residential and maintenance areas, potable water system facilities, and service roads are closed to public recreational use.

Justification: The superintendent has determined that this closure is the minimum required to maintain the safety, security and integrity of and access to these critical systems and utility areas unsuitable for safe public recreational use.

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Timpanogos Cave National Monument is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g. model airplanes, quadcopters, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.

Justification: The superintendent has determined that this closure is required for the maintenance of public safety, protection of natural resources, and avoidance of conflict with other visitor activities. Unmanned aircraft flown at low altitudes over the heavily used trail in the narrow canyon will create high levels of noise and will distract visitors hiking above steep slopes, increasing the chance of accidents. The slopes within the park are inhabited by both Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and mountain goats, which are likely to be disturbed and flee from unmanned aircraft, dislodging rocks and further increasing the risk to visitors. Due to the topographic constraints within the narrow, deeply incised canyon, no less restrictive measures will suffice.

(2) Designated areas for specific use or activity or conditions or restrictions on a use or activity

(i) Visitors must always remain within sight of their guide while in the caves, except as otherwise directed by the guide.

(ii) The following are prohibited within any park cave:

Possession or use of clothing or equipment that has been in any other cave or subterranean mine unless it has been declared to NPS staff and then decontaminated as prescribed in the park White-nose syndrome (WNS) policy.

Possession or use of chemical pesticides or herbicides is prohibited within any park cave other than for administrative purposes in accordance with the park Cave Management Plan.

Possession of a backpack, child carrier, purse, or similar bag larger than will fit entirely within a box 12 inches x 10 inches x 20 inches, is prohibited with any park cave except by permit or for administrative purposes.

Possession or use of walking sticks, trekking poles, photographic tripods, monopods, “selfie sticks” (poles designed to hold a camera, tablet compute or cellular phone) and similar implements unless they can be collapsed or disassembled and are stored completely within a backpack or similar bag at all times within the cave. This prohibition does not apply to canes, crutches, or similar mobility assistance devices when required for medical reasons.

Consumption of food, gum, tobacco products, or liquids is prohibited within any park cave, except when required for medical reasons.

The use of lasers, including laser pointers and similar devices, is prohibited within any park cave except by permit or for administrative purposes.

Deliberate touching of any park cave feature or formation is prohibited except where specifically authorized by a park employee as part of an interpretive tour, permitted activity, or for administrative purposes.

Wheelchairs, strollers, shoes with wheels in the sole, and all other wheeled devices are prohibited within any park cave.

Justification: The superintendent has determined that these conditions are the minimum necessary to ensure protection of the fragile and irreplaceable natural resources within park caves as well as the safety of park staff, in accordance with the park Cave Management Plan.

(iii) The following types of filming activities may occur in areas open to the public without a permit and without advance notice to the NPS:

• Outdoor filming activities involving five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras.

(iv) The organizer of any other type of filming activity must provide written notice to the Superintendent at least 10 days prior to the start of the proposed activity. Based upon the information provided, the superintendent may require the organizer to apply for and obtain a permit if necessary to:

• maintain public health and safety;
• protect environmental or scenic values;
• protect natural or cultural resources;
• allow for equitable allocation and use of facilities; or
• avoid conflict among visitor use activities.

If the superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit. superintendent will provide the basis for denial in writing upon request.

The NPS will consider requests and process permit applications in a timely manner. Processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed activity. If the organizer provides the required 10-day advance notice to the NPS and has not received a written response from the NPS that a permit is required prior to the first day of production, the proposed filming activities may occur without a permit.

(v) The following are prohibited:

(A) Engaging in a filming activity without providing advance notice to the superintendent when required.
(B) Engaging in a filming activity without a permit if the superintendent has notified the organizer in writing that a permit is required.
(C) Violating a term and condition of a permit issued under this action.

Violating a term or condition of a permit issued under to this action may also result in the suspension and revocation of the permit by the superintendent.

Justification: The superintendent has determined that these conditions are the minimum necessary to reasonably mitigate resource impacts and visitor use conflicts resulting from filming activities while minimizing restrictions on small scale, low impact filming activities.

SECTION 1.6(f) COMPILATION OF ACTIVITIES REQUIRING A PERMIT
• Scientific research, including exploration, excavation, or modification of unexplored cave leads or digs, 1.5
• Non-administrative entry to any park cave other than Hansen, Middle, or Timpanogos, 1.5
• Collecting research specimens, 2.5
• Operating a power saw in developed areas, 2.12(a)(2)
• Operating a portable motor or engine in undeveloped areas, 2.12(a)(3)
• Operating a public address system, 2.12(a)(4)
• Air delivery, 2.17(a)(3)
• Noncommercial soliciting, 2.37
• Using, possessing, storing, or transporting explosives, blasting agents, or explosive materials, 2.38(a)
• Using or possessing fireworks and firecrackers, 2.38(b)
• Special events, 2.50(a)
• Demonstrations involving 26 or more people, 2.51
• Sale and distribution of printed matter by groups of 26 or more people, 2.52(a)
• Grazing, 2.60(a)(1), (2)
• Residing on federal lands, 2.61(a)
• Installing a monument or other commemorative installation, 2.62(a)
• Commercial notices or advertisements, 5.1
• Commercial operations, 5.3
• Commercial photography or filming, 5.5
• Commercial vehicle use of park roads, 5.6
• Construction of any building, structure, facility, road, trail, path or way, telephone line, power line or other utility, 5.7

SECTION 2.1 PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

(b) Walking, hiking, and climbing (including rock and ice climbing) within the Monument south of Utah Highway 92 is restricted to the paved cave trail.

SECTION 2.2 WILDLIFE PROTECTION

(d) Wildlife lawfully taken outside the monument boundaries may be transported through the monument by vehicle, in a direct route on Utah Highway 92.
(e) Viewing wildlife with any artificial light at night anywhere in the monument is prohibited.
SECTION 2.5 RESEARCH SPECIMENS
(b) A collection permit is required in advance for collection of any type of research specimen.

SECTION 2.10 CAMPING

All areas of the monument are closed to camping.

SECTION 2.11 PICNICKING

Picnicking is prohibited within the cave system but is otherwise permitted in areas open to public use.

SECTION 2.13 FIRES

(a) (1) Open fires are only permitted in park provided established grills, grates or fire rings in designated picnic areas.
(b) Charcoal fires in self-contained grills are permitted. Charcoal must be cooled and disposed of in a garbage receptacle or removed from the park. Wood fires must be extinguished so that all the wood is cool to the touch with no visible embers, coals, or sparks before the fire is left unattended.

SECTION 2.14 SANITATION AND REFUSE

(b) Disposal of human waste within any park cave is prohibited.

SECTION 2.15 PETS

(a) (1) Pets are prohibited on the cave trail, within any park cave, and in park buildings. Certified service animals may be permitted on the cave trail and through the cave.
(5) Persons possessing a pet are required to collect any excrement deposited by the pet within the Monument and remove it or dispose of it in a manner consistent with state and county regulations.

SECTION 2.16 HORSES AND PACK ANIMALS

(b) Horses may not be kept, tied, or ridden within the monument.

SECTION 2.18 SNOWMOBILES

(c) The use of snowmobiles is prohibited within the monument.

SECTION 2.20 SKATING, SKATEBOARDS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES

There are no designated areas within the Monument where the use of roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, roller blades, shoes with retractable wheels, or similar devices is allowed. Use of these devices is prohibited on all Monument roads; within any park cave; on the cave trail; and on the Canyon Nature Trail.

SECTION 2.21 SMOKING

(a) Smoking is prohibited in the following locations:
• All public buildings in accordance with Utah State Law
• All government vehicles
• Along the cave trail during designated periods of high fire danger
(b) Smoking is prohibited within all park caves at all times.

SECTION 2.35 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(a) (3)(i) The consumption of alcoholic beverages and the possession of a bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or that has been opened, or whose seal is broken or the contents of which have been partially removed is prohibited in the visitor center, cave system, and on the cave trail.

The superintendent has determined that the consumption of an alcoholic beverage or the possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage would be inappropriate considering the other uses of these locations and the purpose for which they are maintained and established, particularly the hazardous environment along the paved cave trail and the fragility and irreplaceable nature of cave speleothems.

SECTION 2.50 SPECIAL EVENTS

(a) Special events require a permit issued by the superintendent and must be applied for in advance.

SECTION 2.51 PUBLIC ASSEMBLY, MEETINGS

(b) (2) All areas of the park otherwise open to public use are open to demonstrations except:
• the cave system;
• the cave trail from the visitor center plaza to the entrance grotto and cave exit;
• the interior of the visitor center;
• any part of the visitor center plaza within 10 feet of the building’s exterior wall;
• the ramp and stairs between the visitor center parking lot and the plaza.
• parking lots and roadways; and
• service and residential areas.

SECTION 4.30 BICYCLES

(a) The term “e-bike” means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.).

E-bikes are allowed in Timpanogos Cave National Monument where traditional bicycles are allowed.

E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.

A person operating an e-bike is subject to the following sections of 36 CFR part 4 that apply to the use of traditional bicycles: sections 4.12, 4.13, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, and 4.30(h)(2)-(5).

Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within Timpanogos Cave National Monument is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.