You are here

Home » Tours Of Jewel Cave To Resume April 20

Tours Of Jewel Cave To Resume April 20

Share

Published Date

April 16, 2019

Underground tours of Jewel Cave are scheduled to resume Saturday/Kurt Repanshek file

After months of work to improve the trail system inside Jewel Cave, underground tours at the national monument in South Dakota will resume this coming Saturday in conjunction with the kickoff of National Park Week.

The work that began last fall included removal of existing sidewalks, stair treads, guardrail and handrails, installation of new guardrails and handrails, stair treads, concrete sidewalks, lighting upgrades, and other improvements throughout the Scenic Tour route.

The not-quite-90-minute ranger-led tours of the cave are scheduled to resume Saturday, with spring tour times at 10 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 2:40 p.m. A 20-minute Discovery Talk is also scheduled each day at 9:05 a.m. The first day of National Park Week is a fee free day; all scheduled cave activities on Saturday will be free of charge, and tickets will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday is also National Junior Ranger Day. To further celebrate the week, a special Junior Ranger Program is set for 10:30 a.m. A guided nature hike on the one-quarter-mile Roof Trail is planned, with participants involved in an outdoor scavenger hunt. After successfully completing the activity, participants earn a special embroidered patch and certificate. Interested individuals may also want to request a Junior Ranger activity booklet at the visitor center and learn even more about the monument. Junior Rangers and their families should meet at the visitor center and dress according to the weather conditions.

At 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Cave Explorer Chris Pelczarski will present a program on caving within Jewel Cave. Pelczarski was part of the exploration team that mapped the 200th mile of cave in mid-December. His program shares the excitement of exploring inside the third-longest cave in the world. Yet, he will also discuss his reasons for volunteering with the National Park Service and why exploration trips are so unique for the monument.

Cave tours will continue through the spring, summer, and early fall seasons. It is expected that the cave will close again in early October for the second phase of the construction project along the Scenic Tour route. 

Learn more about Jewel Cave National Monument:

A Tale Of Two Caves: Going Underground At Jewel Cave National Monument And Wind Cave National Park

New Year And New Discoveries At Jewel Cave National Monument

Related Stories:

Three Days In And Around Badlands National Park
A Tale Of Two Caves: Going Underground At Wind Cave And Jewel Cave

Stories about:

Story Categories:

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.