News Release

Jewel Cave Announces Operations for Summer Season

A brick building with a tall brown roof surrounded by evergreen trees under a blue sky
The back of the Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor Center and Elevator Shafts.

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News Release Date: May 24, 2025

Contact: Aimee Murillo

Jewel Cave National Monument is changing its operations to prepare for visitors this summer season. The monument will be open every day starting Sunday, May 25, with extended hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Jewel Cave’s Wild Caving Tours will begin for the season on Friday, May 30, and the Historic Lantern Tours on Sunday, June 1. The park plans to offer the historic lantern tours regularly until Labor Day, and the Wild Caving Tour on weekends and select weekdays through mid-August. The monument will continue to offer the popular Scenic and Discovery Tours.

Advance reservations for the scenic, discovery and historic lantern tours are strongly recommended and will be available to book on Recreation.gov, with limited first-come, first-serve cave tour tickets available daily. Reservations are required for the Wild Caving Tour. Those interested are recommended to check the park website and recreation.gov for initial steps on obtaining a spot on the Wild Caving Tour.

The monument also partners with the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, which operates a Park Store inside the visitor center. The store will be open on the same schedule as the visitor center and provides visitors with multiple products and services to complement their visit.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at www.nps.gov/jeca, as well as on social media through Facebook and Instagram.



Last updated: May 24, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

11149 U.S. Hwy. 16
Building B12

Custer, SD 57730

Phone:

605 673-8300
The main phone line connects visitors with staff at the visitor center. Throughout the year, the phone line is monitored by staff on a daily basis, excluding holidays and days with limited visitor services. Please be advised that after-hours messages are not taken on the system; visitors are encouraged to call the visitor center during normal operations and speak with a park ranger for assistance.

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