Jewel Cave National Monument

06/12/2026

This Sunday, June 14th is Flag Day, and we are celebrating by offering fee free Scenic and Discovery Tours!

While folklore surrounds the creation of the Stars and Stripes, many believe it was American seamstress, Betsy Ross who originated the design. Interestingly, the current version of the American flag was designed by a high schooler in 1958, Robert G. Heft. The official American flag has changed many times. There have been 27 versions of the American flag, 25 of which have only made changes to the stars, resulting from the addition of states.

While the design has changed, the meaning has not. The colors of red, white, and blue have never faltered. Red symbolizing valor and bravery. White indicating innocence and purity. Blue defining justice, perseverance, and vigilance. Combined, the flag is an everlasting symbol of freedom.

If you are able to visit Jewel Cave this Sunday, you'll see "Stars" in the calcite crystals and "Stripes" in cave bacon. While advance reservations are sold out, if you come as close to opening as possible with your fully enclosed shoes, you'll hopefully snag a first-come, first-serve ticket!



NPS Photo: The American flag is waving, with Jewel Cave ticket kiosk in the foreground.

06/11/2026

Today is THROWBACK THURSDAY!

The year is 1959. Herb Conn, Jan Conn, Dave Schnute, and Dwight Deal lounge in a passage of Jewel Cave. This curious bunch pioneered Jewel Cave exploration. Jan and Herb Conn would go on to discover over 65 miles of cave from 1959 to 1981. In the Conn’s book, The Jewel Cave Adventure, they write about the power of curiosity:

"At the end of a long day underground the task ahead often seems insurmountable. Sometimes we find too many leads, while at other times we cannot find any. When we leave the cave in the evening, we are often tired, frustrated, and discouraged. Fortunately, these feelings are quickly forgotten during the ensuing week, whereas curiosity lingers to lure us back."

Explore the world around (or below) you. Continue to learn. Your curiosity is precious.

NPS Photo: Jan Conn, Herb Conn, Dave Schnute, and Dwight Deal taking a break in Jewel Cave.

06/10/2026

Historic Lantern Tours will be paused starting Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to allow for new concrete to be poured on the Canyons Trail between the Historic Cabin and original entrance of Jewel Cave. The path was in need of new concrete to maintain the safety of the trail, and Historic Lantern Tours are expected to resume within a few days, pending completion of the concrete installation.

During this brief period a portion of the Canyons Trail will not be accessible where the concrete has been poured. Scenic, Discovery and Wild Caving Tours will continue and will not be impacted by this construction.

NPS Photo: Volunteers worked diligently on the trail in preparation of the new concrete that will replace the degraded path that was there previously.

NPS Graphic: A trail map indicates the section of the Canyons Trail that will be closed for the duration of this project.

06/09/2026

Jewel Cave is pretty cool—literally!

With a year-round temperature of 49°F, staying warm is key. Check out our Rangers training for the wild cave tour! They’re practicing emergency preparedness using simple tools like a candle and a trash bag to trap heat and warm up. While incidents are rare, we’re always "Ranger Ready" to keep you safe and reassured during your underground adventures!

NPS Photo 1: Wild cave guides learn hypothermia prevention techniques from Jewel Cave's Chief Ranger.

NPS Photo 2: Wild cave guide holds candle used in training exercise.

NPS Photo 3: Wild cave guide uses a trashbag to collect heat from the candle and warm herself.

06/07/2026

As Cave Week comes to an end, we encourage you to keep going underground. Stay curious about what lies below your feet. Follow the trails that spark your curiosity, and never forget our inseparable connection to the world below!

NPS Photo: Photo of helictite growing off nailhead spar.

06/06/2026

It’s National Trails Day!

Today, take time to connect with your community, give back to the trails you love, and get outdoors… or maybe even underground! All across the world there are thousands of trails hiding right below our feet. No matter if you prefer a guided cave tour or the thrill of exploring uncharted passages, always remember to cave softly, cave safely, and spread the word of how we can protect these unique environments.

NPS Photo: Cavers walking near Cloud Nine, the second largest room in Jewel Cave. The formations seen here are logomites.

06/05/2026

Today, we encourage you to think about what's not only above ground, but also beneath your feet! Jewel Cave has been inspiring us to think just this for nearly 126 years. For time immemorial, caves have been vital spaces for life, and geology has shaped human pathways. We encourage you to take a moment today to learn about your local geology, you might be surprised by what’s right under your feet!

NPS Photo: A ranger is pictured standing on the surface of Jewel Cave and in the Target Room.

06/03/2026

Did you know that 40% of the drinking water in the U.S. comes from karst landscapes?

While much of the rain that falls flows into surface streams, a significant portion seeps into the ground. In karst landscapes, which cover 20% of the country, the geology acts like a massive underground sponge, soaking up and storing vast amounts of groundwater.

Because these systems are so porous, they are also incredibly vulnerable. Water moves through karst very quickly, often bypassing the natural filtration processes that other types of soil provide. This means pollutants can enter our drinking water supply almost instantly.

Protecting our caves and karst landscapes isn’t just about conservation, it’s about safeguarding the water millions of us rely on every day. Stay curious and help us protect these vital underground resources!

NPS Photo: A body of water in Jewel cave, surrounded by speleothems such as stalactites, stalagmites, and bottle brush.

06/01/2026

It’s Cave Week!

Did you know the National Park Service manages over 4,700 caves? From solution caves, to sea caves, ice caves, and lava tubes, there’s a whole world waiting beneath your feet! First started by Ranger Dan Pawlak in 2018, this week is all about celebrating caves worldwide and understanding their importance, current research, history, conservation, hydrology, biology, geology, exploration, and recreation.

Don’t just go outside; go underground! Explore a cave near you and join the celebration of conservation and discovery.

To find a cave near you, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/cave-week.htm or https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/index.htm

NPS Photo: A large passage found in Jewel Cave.

05/31/2026

The Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii) can be found year-round in most parts of the continental United States and is a frequent visitor to the Castillo de San Marcos! This bird of prey was likely looking for small critters scurrying around the moat in the early morning.

Image: Cooper’s Hawk peeking over the fort’s wall.

05/31/2026

On May 31, 1889, one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history struck when the South Fork Dam failed above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, unleashing more than 4.8 billion gallons of water. The raging flood swept through the valley, destroying homes and communities and claiming more than 2,200 lives.

After days of relentless rainfall, the dam gave way, triggering widespread devastation across the region. In the aftermath, Clara Barton and volunteers with the American Red Cross led one of the nation’s first large-scale disaster relief efforts, providing critical aid to survivors.

Today, Johnstown Flood National Memorial preserves the remains of the dam and tells the story of the flood, its victims, and the recovery efforts that followed. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/jofl

Image: A tree lodged in the Schultz house in the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood of 1889

05/31/2026

🍄✨ Cave surprise! ✨🍄

At first glance, caves may appear inhospitable to life, but look closer and you can find it thriving. This mushroom, of the genus Mycena, found a perfect home in the cool, humid, dim light of the cave. Most Mycena are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead matter or waste. In addition to a comfortable habitat, this individual also found a nutritious meal in the dead tree root it’s growing out of!

This delicate flush of fungi appears only briefly each year on the same piece of decomposing wood deep within Oregon Caves — a tiny seasonal reminder that even in the darkest places, ecosystems are hard at work. 👀🌿

Next time you visit the cave, remember: there’s a whole hidden world growing in the shadows.

Photo credit: NPS/ Sarah M

05/30/2026

Thermal features are so hot right now.

Well, most of the time. Yellowstone National Park preserves the most extraordinary collection of hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles on Earth. More than 10,000 hydrothermal features are found here, of which more than 500 are geysers.

Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Do not touch thermal features or runoff. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.

Learn more tips on how to adventure through Yellowstone safely at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

To finish off our series on the construction of the Scenic Tour route, we have a throwback to 1972 from the first Scenic Tour at Jewel Cave! After the first stairs, platforms, trails, and lights were made (which were all replaced by 2020), the first Scenic Tour at Jewel Cave took place on this day in 1972. This first Scenic Tour was led by Dave Todd, who was the Management Assistant at Jewel Cave at that time. Please note that even though you might see a visitor holding a purse in one photo, guidelines for the Scenic Tour have changed since then and no bags or purses are allowed in the cave today.

NPS Photo 1: Two boys look over the Target Room platform accompanied by Ranger Todd.

NPS Photo 2: Ranger Todd gives his Formation Room talk.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

“You must choose, but choose wisely…” -Grail Knight

Nobody wants slippy-sloppy. Or was it sloppy-slippy? Either way, taking the wrong footwear on the trail can quickly turn a fun hike into a painful one. Before heading out, research the route and terrain so you can choose the right gear for your adventure. Heels, open-toed shoes, and flip-flops are not ideal for hiking trails. For dirt or gravel trails, opt for sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction and ankle support. For paved or urban pathways, comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes are usually a better fit. Your feet will thank you later.

Now, to be fair, it's ! Flip-flops are great for beach parks, the pool, short walks, getting lost in the parking lot, or just embracing vacation mode. But rocky trails, waterfalls, uneven terrain, being chased by a herd of bison, mud, and steep inclines? That’s where things can get a little…well, slippy. Also sloppy.

Make good choices.

Image: A screenshot of a post from the National Park Service account on X that reads: “Always hike with proper supplies and equipment. Remember, flippy floppies may lead to slippy sloppies.”

05/26/2026

The mondayest Tuesday ever…

Dreading what feels like it could be a bear of a week? Feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up? Bearly moving? Don’t worry…ease back into work instead of trying to tackle everything all at once. Start by tidying your workspace (or find your space if you’ve forgotten), reminding yourself what it is you do there, and planning your first break of the day. Sometimes the best way to get back into work mode is to give your brain a chance to catch up too.

Did somebody say break? It never hurts to take a much-needed “paws.” Regular breaks can help you recharge, refocus, and keep the day from turning completely grizzly. Step away for a few minutes to stretch, take a walk, catch something for lunch, or scroll through the park socials. This is your time.

Image: A bear cub takes a nap in a cottonwood trees Big Bend National Park. NPS/CA Hoyt

05/25/2026

Honoring all the members of our armed forces who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion," Memorial Day is one of the most important and solemn days on the National Mall. Across 250 years of American history, starting with those who fell while fighting alongside General George Washington in the Revolutionary War to recent conflicts, we will never forget our heroes. The military memorials on the National Mall are stunning tributes to hundreds of thousands of people who laid down their lives for freedom. Today we lay wreaths at these special places, but every day, walking past stone walls and metal statues, we recognize the loved and lost and offer the thanks of a grateful nation.

Photo by National Park Service.