Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world stretching 141 miles. A local movement to set Jewel Cave aside for preservation culminated in its establishment as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on February 7, 1908. Jewel Cave is well known for its natural beauty, unusual features and fascinating wildfire history.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Todd SuessPhone Number: 605-673-2288
Entrance Fees: Adult (age 17 & older): $8; Youth (ages 6-16): $4; Child (ages 5 & under): Free; Golden Age/Senior/Access Adult (pass holder only): $4; Access Youth (pass holder only): $2
Sights: Roof Trail; Canyons Trail; Jewel Cave
Important Dates
Established as Park: February 7, 1908By The Numbers
Acres: 1,273.00Highest Point: (5406 feet)
Annual Visitation: 97,395 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :43.727630 / -103.831360 (map it)
State: SD
Nearby Big City: Custer, SD
Gateway Communities: Custer, SD; Pringle, SD; Newcastle, WY; Hot Springs, SD
Nearby Airports: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : No
Park Photos
Jewel Cave, 1915
National Park Service
Jewel Cave, 1916
National Park Service
Jewel Cave, 3194
National Park Service
View More Jewel Cave Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Surface Activities In addition to the cave tours and Discovery Talk, there are many opportunities for exploring on the surface at Jewel Cave National Monument. The 1279 acre park is located in a Po ... read more.
Animals Many animal species make Jewel Cave National Monument their home. Most live in the ponderosa pine forest and open meadows of the surface, but some also live in the cave itself. Over 1,000 bats use J ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions Will I see any bats on the tour? Unless you take the Lantern Tour, you are unlikely to see bats. This is because bats only enter the cave through the historic entrance, and usually travel no more th ... read more.
Geology Geology Unlike many other caves, Jewel Cave was not carved by underground rivers. Most of the cave was formed by slowly circulating, acid-rich groundwater. Its unique story begins with the geologic ... read more.
History History & Culture Early Jewel Cave History The earliest written account of Jewel Cave is a mining claim filed by Frank and Albert Michaud in 1900. The brothers described the entrance as a hole that w ... read more.
In A Nutshell Operating Hours & Seasons The Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor Center is open daily. The Visitor Center hours are currently 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. The Monument's Visitor Center, cave tours, and ... read more.
Just For Kids For Kids Junior Ranger Program The park has two Junior Ranger Programs. One is for children ages 5-8, and the other is for children ages 9-12. Completion of the program requires you to take a cave to ... read more.
Natural World Nature & Science Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world. To date, over 140 miles of passages have been explored and surveyed, and airflow studies indicate that most of the cave has yet t ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Water Quality There are over 50 places inside Jewel Cave where water drips from the ceiling, and a few isolated places where this water has collected in pools. All of the water inside the cave comes ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Welcome At Jewel Cave National Monument, you may explore the surface or the subterranean. Learn about our cave tours or our surface talks by clicking on the 'Things To Do' link.Operating Hours & Seas ... read more.
Plants Jewel Cave National Monument encompasses 1275 acres of ponderosa pine forest and hosts a rich diversity of native plants. The Monument also contains many introduced non-native plant species. Contro ... read more.
Preservation Centennial Initiative 2016 Centennial Vision On August 25, 2006- the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne launched the National Park Centennial In ... read more.
Things To Do Jewel Cave Discovery Talk This 20-minute talk is an introduction to Jewel Cave's natural and cultural histories. Participants view one large room of the cave. This easy cave visit enters and exits t ... read more.
Visitor Services Contact the Park By Mail 11149 US Highway 16 Bldg B12 Custer, SD 57730 By Phone Headquarters 605-673-2288 By Fax 605-673-3294 ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Hiking Trails There are two self-guided trails at Jewel Cave National Monument, and one U. S. Forest Service trail which begins approximately 1 mile from the Jewel Cave visitor center. Printed inform ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Career Opportunities Employment Visit www.usajobs.opm.gov for information on federal employment. Seasonal Employment and Recruitment Jewel Cave National Monument is seeking applicants ... read more.
Jewel Cave In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
