Jewel Cave National Monument - Fees & Reservations (U.S. National Park Service)

The Monument's surface trails and facilities are available free of charge. Fees are charged for cave tours. Prices and tour descriptions are listed below.

All tours into Jewel Cave are ranger-guided and require a minimum of 2 participants.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at a Ticket Kiosk in the parking lot near the visitor center, or by reservation over the phone.

Ticket Sales and Reservations:

Cave tour tickets can be purchased up to seven days in advance for the Scenic, Lantern, and Spelunking Tours, and the Jewel Cave Discovery Talk.
In order to purchase tickets over the phone, you must speak with a ticket sales staff member and have a major credit card ready during the call.
Please call (605) 673-2288 between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
All reserved tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes prior to tour time. Please plan ahead when making reservations.
We are not authorized to call outside the US. Please call us during regular business hours to speak with a live operator instead of leaving a message.
Teachers may call the Visitor Center to inquire about tour information and an educational fee waiver request form.
Reservations can be made up to one month in advance for Groups (with an itinerary); and Educational groups that qualify for a fee waiver.

All cave tours and talks can sell out at any time of the year, especially when the daily number of tours is limited.

Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for tour availability. Please call, or click the link Operating Hours & Seasons for the current cave tour schedule.

General Tour Information:

The cave temperature is 49°F (9°C). A light jacket or sweatshirt is recommended.
Low-heeled, closed-toe, rubber soled shoes are highly recommended as cave routes cover uneven, slippery ground and stairs.
NO food, gum, candy, drinks, tobacco products, backpacks, purses, handbags, or other large items are allowed in the cave.
There are no restrooms in the cave.
It is recommended that visitors be in good health and physical condition.
The Jewel Cave Discovery Talk is recommended for families with young children, and visitors with limited time or health concerns.

Scenic Tour - Ticket Prices:

$8.00 - Adult - age 17 & over
$4.00 - Youth - ages 6-16
Free - Child - ages 5 & under (must have a ticket)
$4.00 - Golden Age/Senior/Access Adult (pass holder only)
$2.00 - Access Youth (pass holder only) - up to 16 years of age
The Annual Pass or National Parks Pass is not valid for tour.

Scenic Tour Details: Scenic Tours are offered year-round. 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 723 stair steps along a 1/2 mile loop. This tour provides an opportunity to visit chambers decorated with calcite crystals and other speleothems as you walk along a paved trail with electric lighting. Scenic Tours are limited to 30 people per tour.

Jewel Cave Discovery - Ticket Prices:

$4.00 - Adult - age 16 & over
Free - Youth - ages 6-15
Free - Child - ages 5 & under
Free - Golden Age/Senior/Access pass holder and 3 persons (16 yrs. and older)
Free - Annual Pass/National Parks Pass holder and 3 persons (16 yrs. and older)
Tickets are required to enter Jewel Cave.

Jewel Cave Discovery Details: This 20-minute talk is an introduction to Jewel Cave's natural and cultural histories. The 'Discovery Talk' is offered year-round. Participants view one large room of the cave. This easy cave visit enters and exits the cave by elevator and involves walking up and down 15 stair steps. This cave talk takes place in the cave's Target Room which is accessible to visitors with limited mobility. The location of the Discovery Talk in Jewel Cave is subject to change at any time of the year. The Jewel Cave Discovery Talk is limited to 20 people.

Lantern Tour - Ticket Prices:

$8.00 - Adult - age 17 & over
$4.00 - Youth - ages 6-16
$4.00 - Golden Age/Senior/Access Adult (pass holder only)
$2.00 - Access Youth (pass holder only) - age 6 to 16
The minimum age allowed is 6 years old.
The Annual Pass or National Parks Pass is not valid for tour.

Lantern Tour Details: This tour is available from the second full week of June through Labor Day. The Lantern Tour is a 1940'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 approximately 1/2 mile long and includes steep, narrow wooden steps. Visitors must be in good health and physical condition. The tour requires bending, stooping, duck walking, and navigation of steep wooden ladders. The Lantern Tour is limited to 20 people per tour.

Spelunking Tour - Ticket Prices:

$27.00 - Adult - age 16 & over
$13.50 - Golden Age/Senior/Access Adult (pass holder only)
The Annual Pass or National Parks Pass is not valid for tour.
Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Proof of age may be required.
A parent or legal guardian, of a 16 or 17 yr. old, is required to sign a permission waiver and be present on the Monument property during the Spelunking Tour.
Tickets are sold by a ranger authorized to make reservations for this tour.
Reservations can be made one month in advance of tour by calling (605) 673-2288 between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, MST. Have a major credit card ready, name, phone number, and address. This call will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. During the summer, this tour will be available on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Spelunking Tour Details: Spelunking Tours are available during the summer season from the beginning of June through the middle of August. This tour is designed for visitors who want the thrill of experiencing the cave in its natural state. Participants scramble over cave "breakdown," chimney between cave walls, climb semi-vertical rocks (rope-assisted climbs), and belly crawl through tight passages. Participants are required to fit through a passage 8 1/2 inches high by 24 inches wide before attempting this tour. Along a 2/3 mile route, visitors learn about low-impact caving, caving techniques, safety, and caving equipment. The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours, and is considered extremely strenuous. Participants must be 16 years of age or older, and in good health and physical condition. Participants must provide and wear above the ankle, lug-soled, lace-up leather boots; soft elbow and knee pads; gloves; long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. We do not provide this equipment. Clothes and boots may be permanently stained with manganese. The Monument only provides a hardhat and headlamp. Tour size is limited to a minimum of 2 visitors and a maximum of 5 visitors. Tours may be cancelled due to lack of required participants (2); due to emergencies at the Monument; and/or lack of proper caving equipment.