Last updated: April 9, 2024
Thing to Do
Guided Cave Tours
NPS Staff Photo
Advance ticket sales are available at Recreation.gov. Advance reservations are recommended, availability of walk-up tickets is not guaranteed. The booking window closes at noon the day before, and can potentially close earlier if the tour sells out. All cave access is by guided tour only. If there are any remaining tickets or additional tours available, those tickets are sold at the park on a first come, first serve basis the day of the tour.
Exploring the underground wonder of Jewel Cave is only possible on a guided cave tour. There are four cave tour options available. Two are offered all year, the Scenic Tour and Discovery Tour, and two of which are only available seasonally, the Historic Lantern Tour and Wild Caving Tour. Be sure to read the details of each and choose the one that best fits your interests and group abilities. Everyone in the group is required to wear fully enclosed shoes, for example, sneakers, tennis shoes, and hiking boots. There are restrictions of what can be brought on the tour, be prepared before you arrive.
Jewel Cave National Monument offers advanced ticket sales through Recreation.gov. All financial transactions with reservations are administered by Recreation.gov. If available, tour tickets can also be purchased the day of the tour at the park on a first come, first serve basis. Note that tickets both online and in-person can go quickly.
Exploring the underground wonder of Jewel Cave is only possible on a guided cave tour. There are four cave tour options available. Two are offered all year, the Scenic Tour and Discovery Tour, and two of which are only available seasonally, the Historic Lantern Tour and Wild Caving Tour. Be sure to read the details of each and choose the one that best fits your interests and group abilities. Everyone in the group is required to wear fully enclosed shoes, for example, sneakers, tennis shoes, and hiking boots. There are restrictions of what can be brought on the tour, be prepared before you arrive.
Jewel Cave National Monument offers advanced ticket sales through Recreation.gov. All financial transactions with reservations are administered by Recreation.gov. If available, tour tickets can also be purchased the day of the tour at the park on a first come, first serve basis. Note that tickets both online and in-person can go quickly.
Details
Activity
Guided Tours
Age(s)
Each guided tour presents different challenges. All ages are welcome on both the Scenic Tour and Discovery Tour, but please be aware that the Scenic Tour is a 1/2 mile walking tour with over 700 stairs. The Scenic Tour is a timed activity, therefore any participants must be able to navigate the stairs and keep pace with the group on their own. If this is a concern, the Discovery Tour would be perfect for your group! The Historic Lantern Tour has a minimum age of 8 years old for safety of the participants and the resource. The Wild Caving Tour has a minimum age of 16 years old for safety of the participants and the resource.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
Yes
There are no entrance fees to the monument; however, there is an activity fee charged for each participant on the guided cave tours. More information can be found on our Fees & Passes page.
Reservations
Yes
Jewel Cave National Monument offers advanced ticket sales for a limited number of cave tours through Recreation.gov. Advanced sales are only available for the Scenic Tour and are offered for the scheduled times on the hour. Visitors can purchase Scenic Tour tickets in advance between 72 hours and 90 days using Recreation.gov.
Season
Year Round
Due to COVID-19, all advanced reservations for the Scenic Tours are suspended until further notice. No cave tours are available at this time.
Tours are offered year-round; however, tour availability changes seasonally. Please contact the Visitor Center for the most up to date schedule.
Tours are offered year-round; however, tour availability changes seasonally. Please contact the Visitor Center for the most up to date schedule.
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
The Discovery Tour is wheelchair accessible and service animal friendly. There are no stairs required on this tour. The smaller group size allows visitors to interact with the ranger more directly and have a more personalized experience. A wheelchair is available in the Visitor Center for visitors to use on the Discovery Tour if needed.
NPS Photo / Eric Dodd
Scenic Tour
This tour is moderately strenuous and lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes. The tour enters and leaves the cave by elevator in the visitor center. The tour route involves walking up and down 734 stair steps along a 1/2 mile paved trail with uneven ground and minor slopes. This tour provides an opportunity to visit chambers decorated with calcite crystals and other speleothems with electric lighting. Scenic Tours are limited to 30 people per tour. It is recommended to take children five and under on the Discovery Tour. Parents may not carry a child of any age on the Scenic Tour, except in a front carrier. Children must stay in the carrier at all times. All tour participants must be able to navigate the 734 stair steps along the tour route unassisted and keep pase with the group.
NPS Photo
Discovery Tour
This 20-minute program is a brief introduction to Jewel Cave's natural and cultural histories within one large cave room. This easy cave visit enters and exits by elevator. The Discovery Tour is limited to 20 people. We recommend this talk for families with young children, and visitors with limited time or health concerns. This program takes place in the cave's Target Room, which is accessible by wheelchair.
NPS Photo
Lantern Tour
The Historic Lantern Tour (summer only) is a 1930's style adventure. Visitors, carrying lanterns provided by the Monument, enter and exit the cave through the historic entrance. This tour is considered strenuous and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. The tour route is ~ 1/2 mile and includes steep, narrow steps (about 600). Visitors must be in good health and physical condition. The tour requires bending, stooping, duck walking, and navigation of steep wooden ladders. The Historic Lantern Tour is limited to 15 people per tour. Children ages seven and under will not be allowed to participate on the Lantern Tour. Parents may not carry a child of any age. All tour participants must be 8 years old or older, and all participants must be able to navigate the tour route unassisted. Tennis shoes or hiking boots are required for this tour.
NPS Photo
Wild Caving Tour
This 3 to 4-hour strenuous tour is designed for visitors who want the thrill of experiencing the cave in its natural state. Participants scramble over cave "breakdown," chimney between walls, climb semi-vertical rocks (rope-assisted), and belly crawl through tight passages along a 2/3 mile route. Participants must be in good health and physical condition. Participants are required to fit through a passage 8 1/2 inches high by 24 inches wide.
Participants must provide and wear specific caving clothes and boots. Tours may be cancelled due to a lack of required participants; proper caving equipment;or unforeseen incidents. Tour size is limited to a minimum of 2 visitors and a maximum of 5 visitors. Reservations are required for this tour, and have not been yet been scheduled for the 2024 season. Call the visitor center at (605) 673-8300 and speak to park staff for more questions.