Group Tour Information

Cave Tours

Tickets for the Garden of Eden Tour, Natural Entrance Tour, and Fairgrounds Tour may be purchased in advance through www.recreation.gov. Reservations are recommended as tours often sell out March through October and on holiday weekends throughout winter. Reservations on Recreation.gov can be made 3-120 days prior to the tour date. The Garden of Eden Cave Tour is limited to 30 people and the Natural Entrance and Fairgrounds Cave Tours are limited to 40. Larger groups may need to be split.

Specialty Tours

Reservations for Candlelight and the Wild Cave Tours are taken by phone no more than one month in advance. Tours are limited to ten people. All youth groups must have an adult sponsor responsible for the group's conduct accompanying the tour. The minimum age for the Candlelight Tour is 8 and the Wild Cave Tour is 16. A parent or guardian's signature is required for Wild Cave Tour participants 17 years or younger. These forms are available from the park and can be faxed or mailed to you when you make your reservation. Proof of age may be required.

The Day of Your Tour

We require that your group arrives 30 minutes prior to your tour time or your reservation will be canceled. When driving in the Black Hills, we suggest that you allow ample driving time, as the roads are narrow and winding. Do not use your GPS to find the visitor Center, you will get lost. Use the Directions page on our website to locate the visitor center. Please call the park at [phone] if you encounter delays so arrangements can be made.

Adult sponsors who will be responsible for the group's conduct must accompany youth groups. Supervisors must be distributed throughout the group so that all students are appropriately supervised and those students who are feeling uncomfortable in the cave have an adult nearby. Adult sponsors with the group are responsible for the group's behavior.

Arrive Prepared

The cave temperature is 53° F at all times of the year. Everyone should have a sweater or jacket. Good walking shoes with a non-slip sole are required as there are about 300 stairs along the tour route. Caves are very fragile places so to protect the cave, please talk with your group about not touching or removing any rocks or formations from the cave. No eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum is allowed in the cave. This includes gum, candy, soda, or water bottles. Packs or large purses are not permitted in the cave. There are no restrooms in the cave. Cameras are permitted.

Fee Waivers

Cave tour fees may be waived for educational and scientific institutions using the park for educational purposes. Fee waiver requests must be received in writing, three weeks prior to your visit. Fees will be waived if the stated educational objectives relate directly to park resources. Specialty tour fees or camping fees will not be waived. To apply for a fee waiver contact the park by calling (605)-745-1132 or by email.

Campground Reservations

Group camping sites are available for groups of campers numbering between 10 to 50. Reservations for the group campsites can be made at Recreation.gov up to ten months before your visit.