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Jewel Cave National Monument A close-up of calcite crystals/NPS file photo
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Jewel Cave National Monument
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.  Cave tours do sell out at any time.  Therefore, the wait time for a tour, without reservations, could be a few hours or the next day.  For this reason, we recommend making a reservation for a tour.

Cave tour tickets can be purchased no earlier then seven days in advance of your visit.  In order to purchase tickets over the phone, you must speak with a representative and have a major credit card.  Please call 1-605-673-8300 between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time for tour information.

 

Note:  Tour schedules are subject to change due to staff availability, emergency situations, and/or special events.
 

Winter Tour Schedule (October 23, 2011 - April 8, 2012):

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) Tours are offered during the off-season. The tour dates are November 12 and 26, December 10 and 31, January 14, February 11, March 10 and 17, and April 14. The Wild Caving tour begins at 11:30 a.m. Interested cavers should contact the visitor center at 605-673-8356 for reservations.

NOTE: Reservations for the Wild Caving Tour are required and can be made up to 28 days in advance and must be made by the close of business on the Wednesday before the scheduled tour date.
 

Spring Tour Schedule (April 9 - May 6, 2012):

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.
 

Late Spring Tour Schedule (May 7 - 25, 2012):

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.


Early Summer Tour Schedule (May 26 - June 2, 2012):

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., 3:00 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.


Summer Tour Schedule (June 3 - August 18, 2012):

Visitor Center hours - 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Scenic Tour offered daily at 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., 3:20 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 5:20 p.m.

Discovery Tour offered daily at 9:35 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 3:35 p.m., and 6:05 p.m.

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

Beginning June 10, the Historic Lantern Tour will be offered 6 times daily at 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m, 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:30 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.

Beginning June 10, the Wild Caving (Spelunking) Tour will be offered daily, except for Tuesdays and Fridays, at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made 28 days in advance. Check in time at the visitor center is 12:00 p.m. (noon).


Late Summer Tour Schedule (August 19 - September 8, 2012):

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., 10:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

NOTE: Beginning August 26 through September 8, 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 on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. through August 25, 2012. NOTE: The Wild Caving Tour may be available at the end of August and into September, please call ahead for dates and reservations.


Early Fall Tour Schedule (September 9 - October 7, 2012):

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.

Wild Caving (Spelunking) Tour may be offered on Saturday, September 29 at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required and should be made in advance by phone. Check-in time at the visitor center is at 11:00 a.m.

Fall Tour Schedule (October 8 - 20, 2012):

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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Last Updated: November 06, 2011 at 14:45 MST