Wilderness Volunteers help Jewel Cave improve busy Canyons Trail section

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The Jewel Cave National Monument recently welcomed a team of Wilderness Volunteers who spent four days helping improve a heavily used section of the Canyons Trail.

Working alongside the monument’s Facilities Division from May 18-22, the six-member team removed old concrete, recycled metal materials and prepared about 600 feet of trail for new concrete installation. Volunteers also cleared culverts and built a retaining wall to help prevent erosion and protect the trail.

The upgraded section connects the Historic Cabin to Jewel Cave’s original entrance and is frequently used by hikers, runners and visitors taking Historic Lantern Tours during the summer. Park officials said the previous concrete had deteriorated and needed replacement to improve safety and accessibility.

The new concrete work will temporarily pause Historic Lantern Tours from June 16-18. Monument staff thanked the Wilderness Volunteers team for helping maintain one of the park’s most traveled areas.

Wilderness Volunteers is a nonprofit organization that partners with public land agencies across the country on conservation and maintenance projects.

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