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South Dakota
12

South Dakota State Parks

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USA Parks
South Dakota
Black Hills & Badlands Region
Jewel Cave National Monument
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Jewel Cave National Monument Bats at Jewel Cave credits NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney
Nine species of bats live within Jewel Cave National Monument. At times, visitors may see bats outside the historic entrance.
Jewel Cave National Monument Fall Season Foliage in Fog credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the monument. The colors of fall are often the best during mid to late September.
Jewel Cave National Monument The Ranger Cabin at Jewel Cave credits NPS Photo / Quentin Bucker
The original park ranger cabin, built during the 1930s, is available for public access during the summer and early fall seasons.
Jewel Cave National Monument Winter in the Pines credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Although a slower time of year, the winter season offers some of the best scenery of the ponderosa pine forest.
Jewel Cave National Monument Pasque Flowers in Bloom credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Jewel Cave is home to several species of wildflowers, such as the South Dakota State Flower - the pasque flower.
Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor Center Exhibit Area credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
The visitor center provides several engaging exhibits and displays about the resources within the monument.
Jewel Cave National Monument Red Squirrel credits NPS Photo / VIP Melissa Oehler
Red squirrels are commonly observed along the Roof Trail near the visitor center.
Jewel Cave National Monument Theodore Roosevelt Addresses an Audience credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
The monument hosts special events each summer, such as living history presentations of President Theodore Roosevelt.
Jewel Cave National Monument Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep credits NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Rocky mountain bighorn sheep are commonly seen within the monument, usually along Highway 16.
Jewel Cave National Monument Canyons Trail Descending toward the Historic Entra credits NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney
A portion of the Canyons Trail passes the historic entrance of Jewel Cave, with breathtaking views of nearby Hell Canyon.
Jewel Cave National Monument Hourglass Lake credits NPS Photo / Dan Austin
Volunteer cave explorers discovered Hourglass Lake in October 2015, the first sizable body of water found within Jewel Cave.
Jewel Cave National Monument The Heavenly Room credits NPS Photo / Dan Austin
The Heavenly Room is a large room along the Historic Lantern Tour within the historic entrance of Jewel Cave.
Jewel Cave National Monument Pinnacles Expressway credits NPS Photo / Dan Austin
The logomites or popcorn stalagmites this explorer sits near are hollow and sometimes grow taller than a person.
Jewel Cave National Monument Nailhead Spar credits NPS Photo
Calcite crystals, such as nailhead spar, cover most of the walls, ceilings, and floors within Jewel Cave.
Jewel Cave National Monument Jewel Cave National Monument credits NPS Photo
Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument Inner Sanctum credits NPS Photo / Dan Austin
The Inner Sanctum is one of the longest and largest passageways along the Scenic Tour route, located near the Torture Room.
Jewel Cave National Monument The Brain Drain credits NPS Photo
The Brain Drain is approximately eight inches high by 24 inches wide and is the tightest passage on the Wild Caving Tour.
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JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT
JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT
11149 U.S. 16
Custer, South Dakota   57730
(lat:43.7304 lon:-103.8291) map location

Phone: 605-673-8300
Email: park email button icon
Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 208 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

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Area Campgrounds
Beaver Lake Campground
12005 West Highway 16
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Big Pine Campground
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Broken Arrow Campground
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Custers Gulch Campground
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Flintstone's Bedrock City Campground
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Fort Welikit Family Campground
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French Creek RV Park
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Heritage Village
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Nearby Hotels
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Directions
By car: Jewel Cave National Monument is located 13 miles west of Custer, South Dakota and 24 miles east of Newcastle, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 16. The monument is about 54 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota via U.S. Highway 16 / 385. By plane: The nearest major airport, Rapid City Regional Airport, is 63 miles away.

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South Dakota
12

South Dakota State Parks

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