Ranger-guided tours are required to enter Jewel Cave, and the various tours are offered at scheduled times, which vary by season. With four different tour options, there is something for all skill levels and interests.
A variety of talks, demonstrations and guided nature hikes are offered on the surface. Program topics include cave exploration, wildlife, fire ecology, Jasper Fire, wildflowers and plants of the area, and other subjects. Programs are regularly scheduled from mid-June through mid-August, and may be offered throughout the rest of the year. Contact the Visitor Center for current program schedule. There are no fees for these programs.
There are many opportunities for exploring on the surface at Jewel Cave National Monument. The 1,279 acre park is located in a Ponderosa pine forest, easily seen along the short Roof Trail. The Jasper Fire of August 24, 2000, has changed the scenery of the Monument but it is an opportunity to see first hand the forest recovery process along the Canyons Trail.
There are 393 documented plant species at Jewel Cave National Monument. Wildflowers are commonly seen in bloom near the Visitor Center, at the Historic Area, and along all surface trails. Enjoy the flowers - look at them, smell them, compare them, sketch them, photograph them - but please do not pick or otherwise disturb them!
The Historic Area has a picnic area, the Historic Cabin built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Historic Entrance to Jewel Cave. While there is no access to the cave except on a guided tours, visitors are encouraged to complete the .25 mile (.4 km) walk down to see the Historic Entrance used by the Michaud brothers and park rangers to enter the cave since 1900.
Jewel Cave National Monument sits in a zone between Eastern and Western wildlife species. Due to this, there is a huge variety of wildlife to be seen at Jewel Cave. Take a hike along one of the trails or explore the Historic Area for the best chance of seeing some of the amazing wildlife that calls the Black Hills home.