News Release

Jewel Cave Announces Operations for Winter Season

A fall scene with trees and plants with changing colors on a small cliff within Jewel Cave National Monument.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: August 22, 2025

Contact: Aimee Murillo, [phone]

CUSTER, SD – Jewel Cave National Monument is changing its operations for the winter season. Starting Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the monument will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.

The monument will continue to offer the popular Scenic and Discovery Tours all through the winter, weather permitting. Through September, on select days, the monument will also offer the Wild Caving Tour.

Advance reservations for the Scenic and Discovery tours are 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 the 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.