Operating Hours & Seasons

The Visitor Center and surface trails are open daily. The Visitor Center will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1st. In the event of inclement weather, visitors are advised to call ahead. Hours of operation are subject to change during severe weather and emergency situations.

All cave tours are ranger-guided and require a minimum of 2 visitors. Tickets are required to enter the cave, and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Monument. Cave tours are limited and do sell out at any time of the year. When planning a visit to Jewel Cave, it is important to know there is no food service (except vending machines) at the Monument.

NOTE: Due to planned construction on site, along with road construction on SD Highway 16 within the Monument in 2013, reservations will not be taken for public cave tours. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

Cave Tour Schedules are subject to change due to staff availability, emergency situations, and/or special events.

Spring Tour Schedule (April 8 - May 5, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 2:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 3:35 p.m.

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Late Spring Tour Schedule (May 6 - 24, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 2:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 3:35 p.m.

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Early Summer Tour Schedule (May 25 - June 8, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., and 3:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 9:35 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 4:25 p.m.

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Summer Tour Schedule (June 9 - August 17, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:20 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 9:35 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 3:35 p.m., and 4:45 p.m.

Historic Lantern Tour offered daily at 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

NOTE: Due to unpredictable weather conditions and the presence of hibernating bats, Historic Lantern Tour dates may be suspended into mid-June. Interested participants should contact the visitor center in early June for a firm schedule.

Wild Caving (Spelunking) Tour will be offered 4 days a week at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made 28 days in advance. Check in time at the visitor center is 11:00 AM.

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Late Summer Tour Schedule (August 18 - September 7, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:40 p.m., and 3:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 9:35 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 4:25 p.m.

Historic Lantern Tour offered daily at 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

NOTE: Beginning August 23 through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 2), Historic Lantern Tours will be available at 9:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Wild Caving (Spelunking) Tour offered 3 days a week at 11:30 a.m. through August 24, 2013. NOTE: The Wild Caving Tour may be available at the end of August and into early September, please call ahead for dates and reservations.

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Early Fall Tour Schedule (September 8 - October 6, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 2:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 3:35 p.m.

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Fall Tour Schedule (October 7 - 20, 2013):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 2:40 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 3:35 p.m.

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Winter Tour Schedule (October 21, 2013 - April 6, 2014):

Visitor Center hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 9:05 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.m.

Wild Caving (Spelunking) Tour will be offered once a month during the off-season at 11:30 a.m. with a check-in time of 11:00 a.m. at the visitor center. Reservations are required and should be made in advance (2 - 28 days) by phone prior to the close of business on the Thursday before the scheduled tour date.