For Immediate ReleaseRelease Date: April 15, 2013

Contact: Bradley Block, Chief of Interpretation 605-673-8330 or bradley_block@nps.gov 

Jewel Cave Offers Free Cave Tours to Celebrate National Park Week

JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT, SD – Free tours are scheduled at Jewel Cave National Monument to celebrate National Park Week.  From Monday, April 22, through Friday, April 26, Discovery and Scenic Tours at Jewel Cave are offered free of charge.

Across the country, visitors can enjoy the beauty and wonder of 84 million acres of the world’s most spectacular scenery, historic places, and cultural treasures for free.  “National Park Week is a great time to visit America’s heritage sites and enjoy the recreational and educational opportunities in these great places,” said Superintendent Larry Johnson.  “For visitors to Jewel Cave, our aim is to showcase the cave’s natural beauty and geologic history, but also invoke a sense of exploration and discovery into each tour.”

Throughout National Park Week, Discovery Tours are offered daily at 11:35 a.m., 1:35 p.m., and 3:35 p.m. and are limited to 20 people. Scenic Tours take place at 10:00 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 2:40 p.m. and host up to 30 participants.  Due to limited space, fee-free tours are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tour tickets are only provided on the day(s) of the scheduled tours; advance tickets are not available.

The park store, managed by the Black Hills Parks and Forest Association, will also be offering a 10 percent discount on any national park themed items.  New products, such as nature games, educational resources, Junior Ranger souvenirs, and interpretive books, have already been stocked in preparation for the upcoming summer season.  There is an assortment of gift ideas for park enthusiasts.

The cave temperature is around 49 ºF year round.  A light jacket or sweater and sturdy walking shoes are recommended. All tours begin at the visitor center, and cave tour tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis.  Tours can be extremely popular during the spring season, resulting in long wait times and possible “sold out” tours. 

For more information related to National Park Week or for a schedule of tour times, visit Jewel Cave online at www.nps.gov/jeca or call the visitor center at 605-673-8300.

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