Summer and fall tour ticketsTimed release
Tickets release approximately 30-60 days before the tour date; online booking closes around noon the day before the tour. Trip window: 2026-05-01 → 2026-09-30.
National Park Service · SD
Jewel Cave National Monument Tours
Ranger-guided cave tickets are the only way into Jewel Cave; Scenic and Discovery tours plus seasonal Historic Lantern and Wild Caving routes are reserved on recreation.gov roughly 30-60 days out.
Permit requiredtimedEntryModerate0.5 mi
Access requirement
2 ways to get a permit
Winter season tour ticketsTimed release
Winter tickets open for the whole season at the beginning of December; confirm exact release date on the official source. Trip window: December through April.
Permit rules
QuotaEach tour is capacity-limited: Scenic 30, Discovery 20, Historic Lantern 15, Wild Caving 5 (2-person minimum). Same-day walk-up tickets are first-come, first-served when online reservations sell out.
GroupPer-tour capacity ranges from 5 (Wild Caving) to 30 (Scenic).
FeesTicket fees apply per person (no park entrance fee). Scenic $16 adult / $8 youth; Discovery $6 adult / $3 youth & senior; Historic Lantern $16 adult / $8 youth; Wild Caving $45. Children 5 and under free on Scenic and Discovery.
TransferCheck official source for transfer and cancellation terms; refunds for cancellations 2+ days in advance carry a $1 per-ticket fee and there are no refunds for missed tours.
SafetyCave is 49°F year-round; closed-toe shoes required. Tours involve stairs and uneven terrain; Historic Lantern minimum age 8, Wild Caving is strenuous crawling with a 2-person minimum.
Where to stay
Campgrounds nearby
Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.
COMANCHE PARK
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 2716Aug 2816Aug 2916Aug 3016Aug 3117
Availability: Recreation.gov
SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT CABIN
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
OREVILLE CAMPGROUND
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 273Aug 283Aug 2910Aug 309Aug 3111
Availability: Recreation.gov
Bismark Lake
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 276Aug 281Aug 29—Aug 305Aug 317
Availability: Recreation.gov