Permits & Reservations

Visitors are encouraged to make advanced cave tour reservations online by visiting Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov Graphic

Cave Tour Reservations

In collaboration with Recreation.gov, Jewel Cave National Monument offers advanced ticket sales for a limited number of cave tours. Advanced reservations are available for the Scenic Tour, Discovery Tour, Historic Lantern Tour, and Wild Caving Tour. Please be advised that tour times change throughout the year due to visitation and available staffing. All cave access is by guided tour only. For up to date hours and tour times, please visit Operating Hours & Seasons.

Visitors can purchase Scenic Tour, Discovery Tour, and Historic Lantern Tour tickets ahead of their expected arrival date through Recreation.gov. The booking window closes at noon the day before, and can potentially close earlier if the tour sells out. Reservation requests for the Wild Caving Tour must be made at least 7 days in advance on recreation.gov. Tickets on recreation.gov do accrue a $1 per ticket processing fee, and all financial transactions with reservations are administered by Recreation.gov.

During the summer season (May through September), ranger-guided cave tours often fill to capacity by mid to late morning. For this reason, visitors are encouraged to make advanced reservations as early as possible during their travel planning. For additional information about guided cave tours, tour times, and ticket fees, please visit Fees and Passes.

 

Special Use Permits

Jewel Cave National Monument offers special use permits for an assortment of gatherings and a variety of commercial activities. The purpose of these permits is to ensure the protection of the monument's natural and cultural resources, as well as to minimize conflicts between visitors and event guests.

Special use permits often include activities such as filming & photography, weddings, memorial services, special ceremonies, auto club rallies, organized tours, large group camps, and youth gatherings. It is important to note that special events differ from public assemblies and public meetings in that the latter activities are rights protected by the First Amendment.

A non-refundable processing fee is required for all special use permits. Additional fees vary depending on the type of permit issued and will be charged if the permit is approved. For questions or additional information, please contact the Special Park Use Coordinator at [phone].

 

Research Permits

For those wanting to conduct special research within Jewel Cave National Monument, a permit is required for all surface and sub-surface activities. For more information, contact the Chief of Resource Management at [phone].

 

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permits

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

 

The designated First Amendment Area is located near the stairs down to the Visitor Center at the western end of the parking lot.

NPS Photo

First Amendment Events and Activities

Freedom of speech, the press, religion, and assembly are rights, not privileges. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect legitimate government interests. Therefore, in order to protect the natural and cultural resources of the monument, the NPS may regulate certain aspects of First Amendment activities on-site, such as the time, place, and the manner in which they are conducted. It is the conduct associated with the exercise of these rights that is regulated and not the content of the message. For questions or additional information, please contact the Chief Ranger at [phone].

Designated First Amendment Locations

The following locations are predetermined by the National Park Service for First Amendment activities provided the location can accommodate the requested group size.

All such permitted activity must fully comply with 36 C.F.R. § 2.51 and 36 C.F.R. 2.52. No other areas, besides the area listed below, are designated for such activity:

The area around the benches to the east of the Ticket Kiosk and Jewel Cave Sign. A detailed map of the Designated First Amendment Area is available.