Show up by 7:30 AM.

You need to arrive 90 minutes before your ticket time if you want a parking spot at Cave of the Winds in July. 8 AM might work but it’s a gamble.

July is peak season. The lot fills fast because the first shuttle runs early, and people without tickets still park there to hike. By 8:30, you’re circling or parking illegally on the road.

If you get there at 7:30, you’ll have time to walk to the entrance, grab coffee, and actually enjoy the morning without stress. Plus the early morning light in the canyon is worth the alarm.

Plan for 7:30. Your 9 AM ticket will feel like a breeze.