Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor Center

As you prepare for your Jewel Cave adventure, the Visitor Center is a perfect first stop. Come check out the bookstore and exhibits of cave formations and explorations, get cave tour information, and book your tour tickets. The Visitor Center, park store, surface trails and picnic areas are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST. Visitor Center hours are subject to change due to staffing, inclement weather, emergencies, construction and special events.

Jewel Cave Tickets & Tours

Don’t miss out! Due to high visitation, cave tours often sell out two to three hours in advance and may sell out for the entire day by midday. Walk-up tickets aren’t guaranteed, so we recommend you purchase tickets in advance via Recreation.gov. A credit or debit card is required for on-site payments for cave tours, campground fees and Interagency Passes at Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor Center. Guided tours (Scenic Tour, Historic Lantern Tour and Discovery Tour) are required to explore the Jewel Cave, and all tours are weather-dependent and may be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. The Jewel Cave Historic Area and Historic Lantern Tours close at the end of October and start again the following summer season.

When to Visit

All cave tours are available from late May to early September. Only the Scenic and Discovery tours are available for the rest of the year, an excellent off-season option for those looking for smaller crowds. Regardless of the time of year, you must make a reservation to tour the cave. The Visitor Center is open year-round, although hours vary depending on the time of year. Surrounding hiking areas are open throughout the winter. Trail guides are available at the Visitor Center and the Jewel Cave Historic Area during the summer. If you want to hike during winter, you can rent snowshoes at the Visitor Center.

Jewel Cave Weather

Visit Jewel Cave in late spring/early summer or fall for the most comfortable weather. Spring and fall days vary from sunny and warm to cool, rainy and windy. Summertime brings warm daytime temperatures in the high 80s and cool evenings in the low to mid-50s. In winter, daytime temperatures average in the low 40s, with evening temperatures falling below freezing. Visit the National Park Service website for more detailed weather info.

Places to Stay Near Jewel Cave

After a day exploring the cave and hiking, you deserve a comfortable, cozy place to rest and recharge. Whether you want to camp, glamp, rent a cabin or stay in a hotel, there are numerous lodging options near Jewel Cave National Monument.

Explore Responsibly

Embrace the spirit of Forever 605 by following safety rules, respecting wildlife and plants, sticking to designated trails, and leaving no trace. Sign the Forever 605 pledge, get a free sticker and learn more on how to leave South Dakota the way you found it. Together, we can make sure our beauty is around for a long time to come.

Follow Cave Rules

Cave-tour participants of all ages must be able to navigate the tour route without assistance. Jewel Cave tours are moderately strenuous and not recommended for anyone with health conditions, poor balance, mobility concerns or physical limitations. You must wear closed-toe shoes (hiking boots, tennis shoes or sneakers) for safety.

Hiking sandals or any shoes with openings are not permitted. Jewel Cave National Monument prohibits backpacks, large bags, weapons, hiking sticks and walking poles. You cannot carry children on any portion of the Scenic Tour route. For those with young children and infants, we recommend the Discovery Tour. For the complete cave rules and guidelines list, visit the National Park Service website.

Respect The Wildlife

The surface of Jewel Cave National Monument is home to various animals, including mammals like white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, elk, bobcats and coyotes, nine species of snakes and several species of birds. Jewel Cave itself is home to thousands of bats from nine species. When you visit Jewel Cave, remember you’re a guest in their home. Never approach or feed any wild animals.

Bat & Snake Safety

Thousands of bats call this cave home. Please do not touch or go near a bat. If you see a dead bat or a bat that is behaving strangely, being aggressive, lying on the ground, flying near or making contact with people, contact a park ranger immediately. Less than 1% of bats have rabies, but bats that act strangely or interact with people are 10 times more likely to have rabies.

Prairie rattlesnakes hide during the day, usually under rocks, logs and tall grasses. Never put your hands and feet in areas with poor visibility, like crevices and overhangs. If you’ve approached a rattlesnake, you’ll hear their warning rattle. Once you do, slowly back away from their hiding spot.

Look Out for Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is common throughout the hiking trails on the surface of Jewel Cave. It usually hangs low to the ground in moist areas but can sometimes appear as a hairy vine. Look for the three distinctive, jagged, shiny leaves to identify poison ivy. Wear long pants and fully enclosed socks and shoes when hiking through the park to avoid accidental contact with the plant.

Nearby Attractions

Jewel Cave National Monument offers quick access to the rest of South Dakota’s Great 8, from short drives to half-day trips. But the adventure doesn’t stop with the Great 8. Check out this list of activities and attractions in Custer, just outside Jewel Cave.

• Custer State Park: 20-minute drive
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial: 52-minute drive
• Crazy Horse Memorial^®: 23-minute drive
• Wind Cave National Park: 31-minute drive
• Badlands National Park: 1 hour and 51-minute drive
• Historic Deadwood: 1 hour and 23-minute drive
• Missouri River: 3 hour and 42-minute drive