Operating Hours & Seasons

An upright banner provides directional assistance and guidance for guests entering the visitor center during COVID-19.

NPS Photo / Bradley Block

Advance cave tour reservations are available on recreation.gov. All cave access is by guided tour only.

The Visitor Center, Park Store, surface trails, and picnic areas are currently open Wednesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Please be advised that the main entrance gate is closed promptly at 4:30 p.m.; visitors and hikers should plan their day accordingly. Note the visitor center will be closing early on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time.

The Jewel Cave Historic Area is closed for the season. Visitors can still hike there using the Canyons Trail.

VISITOR CENTER HOURS AND TOUR TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE due to staff availability, inclement weather, emergency situations, construction projects, and/or special events. In the event of inclement weather during the off-season, visitors are advised to contact the visitor center at [phone] for updated information.

 

Cave Tour Times

For more information about ticket prices, please visit Fees & Passes.
Contact the Visitor Center at [phone] for more information. Please be advised that all tours are weather dependent and may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather. Visit Guided Tours for tips on preparing for a visit to Jewel Cave.

April 12th to Mid-May 2023

Visitor Center	Will update hours of operation March 2023
Scenic Tour	Schedule will become available March 2023
Discovery Tour	Schedule will become available March 2023

Mid-May to Early September

Visitor Center	Open Daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting Sunday, May 22nd.
Scenic Tour	May 28th-September 5th: 8:20 a.m., 8:40** a.m., 9:20** a.m., 9:40 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:20** a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:00** a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:20** p.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:40 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:20** p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20** p.m., 3:40 p.m. **=walk-up tours that are only available as staffing allows on the day of.
Discovery Tour	May 28th-September 5th: 8:55 a.m., 11:15 a.m.**, 11:55 a.m., 1:15 p.m.**, 2:55 p.m.**, 3:55 p.m. **=walk-up tours that are only available as staffing allows on the day of.
Historic Lantern Tour	June 6th-September 5th: 9:45 a.m., 11:15** a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15** p.m., 3:30 p.m.  September 9th & 10th: 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. **=walk-up tours that are only available as staffing allows on the day of.  Note that August 16th, 23rd and 30th, and September 6th-8th Historic Lantern Tours will not be offered. The final day for this tour is Saturday, September 10th.
Wild Caving Tour	Offered only on weekends with the final Wild Caving Tour for the season being on Saturday, September 10th. All reservations are on recreation.gov. 12:00 p.m.

September 6th to September 24th

Visitor Center	Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Scenic Tour	9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:20 a.m.**, 12:40 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. **=only available when staffing allows All other tour times listed are available on recreation.gov for advance reservations.
Discovery Tour	9:35 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m. and 3:35 p.m. All Discovery Tours are available on recreation.gov for advance reservations.

September 27th to October 22nd

Visitor Center	Open Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Scenic Tour	9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m.*, 12:00 p.m.**, 2:45 p.m. *=walk-up tour only available if staffing allows **=available on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Discovery Tour	9:45 a.m.**, 1:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m.** **=available on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

October 26th to April 8th

Visitor Center	Open Wednesdays-Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Note the visitor center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day,  Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It will also be closing early  on Christmas Eve, at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
Scenic Tour	9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m.*, 12:00 p.m.**, 2:45 p.m. *=walk-up tour only available if staffing allows **=available on select Wednesdays and Saturdays
Discovery Tour	9:45 a.m.**, 1:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m.** **=available on select Wednesdays and Saturdays