Deaf / Hearing Loss

Jewel Cave National Monument provides a variety of services and guidance to accommodate those with hearing impairments. Visitors with special hearing enhancement needs will find this information helpful in planning an enjoyable visit.

Sign Language Services – Due to limited qualified staff each year and its rural location, the monument does not always have the option of providing an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter on short notice. Visitors that desire this service are encouraged to contact the monument directly at [phone] for assistance with an ASL interpreter. This contact should be made at least 7 days in advance. On occasion, park staff may be qualified to provide sign language assistance; however, there is no certainty that this service will be available on a routine basis.

Potential resources for sign language interpreters include the following: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Courtesy Phone – A courtesy phone is located at the visitor center near the restroom entrance.It is for local calls only, or it can be used with personal calling cards. Long distance calls will not be accepted, nor will incoming calls be routed to the courtesy phone. The courtesy phone is not accessible for TYY assistance.

Weather - The weather can change very quickly in the Black Hills. However, surface conditions do not normally affect the cave environment. The abrupt changes in weather only affect the trails and perhaps the ranger-guided activities near the visitor center. In the summer, the average temperature is around 80°F; thunderstorms often occur during the afternoons. In the off-season, temperatures vary from sub-zero to moderate conditions; winter storms can occur at any time. Be advised that there are no shelters along the trails, and off-season trail conditions vary from day to day.

Visitors are encouraged to monitor the weather forecasts before venturing to the monument. Furthermore, visitors should be aware of any pending weather conditions before hiking on any trail. If further assistance is needed, feel free to ask a park ranger for the most updated weather and trail conditions.

Exhibits and Displays / Visitor Center - All exhibits and displays are accessible according to ADA standards. Both interactive and tactile displays are also available throughout the facility for visitor use and educational engagement. Many of the exhibits and displays have interpretive text and offer aesthetically pleasing graphics and images.

Guided Cave Tours – At present, Scenic Tours and Discovery Tours offer written scripts or program outlines that may provide visitors with hearing impairments some interpretive assistance. These resources can be requested directly from a park ranger at the visitor center front desk. Service dogs trained to assist a person with a disability are allowed on the Discovery Tour only.

Interpretive Patio Talks and Guided Nature Hikes – Visitors are encouraged to take part in a variety of ranger-led activities throughout the summer months. Interpretive patio talks occur each day near the visitor center from about mid-June through late August. Guided nature hikes are scheduled once each day and take place on the one-quarter mile Roof Trail near the visitor center. At present, the patio talks and nature hikes do not offer any scripts or outlines for use by visitors; visitors that desire a sign language interpreter for patio talks or guided nature hikes should follow the guidance listed above (Sign Language Services). Visitors are also encouraged to watch the 22 minute park film with open captions to see some of the less accessible sections of Jewel Cave.Off-season programs and activities are limited, due to staff size.

Off-season programs and activities are limited, due to staff size. For an updated program schedule, ask a park ranger for additional information.

Park Film – The monument recently released its new park film in August 2019. This state of the art production showcases the beauty of Jewel Cave and its surface resources. It also provides visitor information related to the various cave tours and engages viewers with the frontier-like environment found underground. The park film provides open captions and audio description; assistive listening devices are also available for interested viewers.