Jewel Cave
National Monument

With more than 121 miles surveyed, Jewel Cave is recognized as the third longest cave in the world. Airflow within its passages indicates a vast area yet to be explored. Cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system and its wide variety of speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, frostwork, flowstone, boxwork and hydromagnesite balloons. The cave is an important hibernaculum for several species of bats.

Jewel Cave National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation on February 7, 1908

Visit Our Expanded Web Pages

VISITATION:

Park use is highest in June, July and August. During this time the midweek and holidays tend to be the busiest. The least busy times for visitation are during the months of December, January and February.

LOCATION:

 

Jewel Cave is located in southwestern South Dakota (in the southern Black Hills) 13 miles West of Custer, SD

 

ADDRESS:

Jewel Cave National Monument
RR1 Box 60 AA
Custer, SD 57730

 

TELEPHONE:

(605) 673-2288

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, summer: 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. MDT. During the winter, hours for visitation may vary, but generally the Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st.

 

Sunday, August 29, 1999 through Saturday, September 11, 1999:

Scenic Tours: 9:00 AM through 4:30 PM: every 45 minutes

Historic Tours: 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. The last Historic Tour for the season will be given on Monday, September 6, 1999

Visitor Center Hours: 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM

Tickets for the Historic Tours may be purchased at the Visitor Center.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Cave "Weather"- Temperature: 49 degrees F (9 C), with approximately 98% humidity year round. Those planning to tour the cave should wear a light jacket or sweater and low heeled, rubber-soled walking shoes.

Surface Weather-Summer days are usually warm or hot, often with late afternoon thundershowers. Spring and Fall weather is most variable with cool damp days alternating with warm dry ones.Winters are cold. Be prepared for changes in weather.

Current Local Weather

DIRECTIONS:

The main Visitor Center and cave entrance is thirteen miles west of Custer, South Dakota on RT 16, 24 miles east of Newcastle Wyoming on RT 16 and 54 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota via RT 16 & 16 -385.

The Historic Area cave entrance and log cabin Ranger Station are located one mile west of the Visitor Center turnoff on RT 16. The Historic Area is located one mile west of the Visitor Center parking lot.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

Jewel Cave can be reached by use of all personal motor vehicles or by bicycle. The main Visitor Center parking lot can accommodate motor homes, recreational vehicles and buses. There is a bike rack available for those who visit the Monument by bicycle. Parking space size is more limited at the Historic Area.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No fee is required to enter the Monument. Cave tours are priced as follows:
Scenic Tour: 0-5 Free; 6-16 $3.00; 17+ $6.00; holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports may purchase their tickets for $3.00.
Historic Candlelight Tour: 0-5 not admitted; 6-16 $3.00; 17+ $6.00; holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports may purchase their tickets for $3.00. Tickets for the Historic Tour are purchased at the Visitor Center.
Spelunking Tour: 0-15 not admitted; 16+ $18.00; holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports may purchase their tickets for $9.00.

Golden Eagle Passports are not valid for cave entry fees.

Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are available at the Visitor Center
ALL CAVE TOURS ARE GUIDED.

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center Area:
Information is available at the Visitor Center as well as interpretive exhibits, The Jewel Cave map (a 7.5 foot by 18 foot working "document"), interactive computers, videos, cave entrance for Scenic and Spelunking tours, and restroom facilities. Cave tour tickets for the Scenic, Historic and Spelunking tours are also available here. Picnic areas are adjacent to the parking area.

 

Historic Area:
Information and cave tour tickets for the Historic Candlelight Tour are available at the log cabin Ranger Station(on the National Register of Historic Structures). Limited exhibits and a small book sales area are also located at this cabin. Information on the "Walk on the Roof " and "Canyons trail can be acquired here. Tickets for the Historic Candlelight Tour are purchased at the Visitor Center. The Ranger Station in the Historic Area is also the departure point for the Historic Candlelight tour. Picnic tables are also in this area. The Historic Area is open during the summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Restroom facilities and a picnic area are also available.

 

Trails:
Two hiking trails exist at the monument, a 1/4 mile loop and a 3.5 mile loop. These trails provide an opportunity to become more familiar with the natural resources, wildlife and geologic surface features at the monument. No bicycles are allowed on the trails. Inquire at the Visitor Center or Log Cabin Ranger Station for maps and more information. Adjacent to the Monument is a 5.5 mile USFS trail. Call the United States Forest Service office in Custer for further information (605) 673-2251.

 

Programs/Activities:
Scenic Tours of Jewel Cave offered year round. Additional cave tours (Historic Candlelight Tour and Spelunking Tour) offered during summer months. Guided Walks and Surface Talks are offered Memorial Day to Labor Day. A Junior Ranger program is available year round for ages 13 and under.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:
Motel accommodations are available in nearby Custer, South Dakota, Custer State Park and in Newcastle, Wyoming. Many campground facilities are also located in these areas and throughout the Black Hills.

 

Food/supplies:
Vending machines at theVisitor Center provide snacks and beverages. Restaurants and grocery stores are located in Custer, South Dakota and Newcastle,Wyoming.

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
A bookstore located at the Visitor Center is managed by the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. Bookstore includes a large selection of books, maps, slides, posters, postcards, CD's, and games. A limited supply of books, cards and posters are located at the Historic Area log cabin Ranger Station during the summer.

 

Accessibility:
Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. Accessible restrooms are also available. Inquire about cave accessibility.

 

Special Needs:
A parking area is available for buses and RVs at Visitor Center. Motors and generators must be shut down while parked. There are no kennels available for pets; pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center or cave tours. All pets must be restrained when out of the personal vehicles.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Stop at the Visitor Center and The historic log cabin Ranger Station. Take a tour of the cave. Browse the Visitor Center exhibit area. Explore the interactive CD Rom on the interactive touchscreen computers. Participate in the Junior Ranger program. Stroll the "Walk on the Roof" trail or hike the "Canyons" trail. Attend surface talks/ guided walks. Browse the bookstore or simply sit and view the magnificent scenery from the deck of the Visitor Center.

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations are not accepted for the Scenic Tour or Historic Candlelight Tour. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis.

Reservations are required for the Spelunking Tour, and may be made no more than one month in advance.

Reservations for school groups and other educational groups must be made at least two weeks and no more than two months prior to your visit.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

Visitors should allow at least two hours to attend tours and view exhibits in the Visitor Center or historic log cabin Ranger Station. An extra hour or two could be added to take in a hiking trail.

 

VISITOR IMPACTS:

 

Cave tours are limited to 30 visitors per Scenic Tour, 25 visitors per Historic Candlelight Tour, and 5 visitors per Spelunking Tour. Summer tours often fill early. Between late June and mid-August a wait of 1 1/2 hours for a cave tour is possible. To avoid lengthy waits or sold out tours, it is suggested that you plan your visit for early morning during the peak summer season. Visits in the fall, winter, and spring may help avoid crowded or sold out tours.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We are experiencing some problems with the information request forms. Please bear with us. In the meantime, information can be requested by phone (number below)or mail to the address below.

 

Write Superintendent, Jewel Cave National Monument, RR 1, Box 60 AA, Custer, SD 57730 or call (605)673-2288.

Last Updated: Friday, 27-Aug-99 14:22:54
http://www.nps.gov/jeca/
Author: B.W. Bitz