Jewel Cave National Monument
Protected park · SD, USA
Jewel Cave National Monument in SD, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon closed
- Tue–Sat 8:30–16:30
- Sun closed
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
This park's official page lists: Visitor center.
Official facts
Public access: Open access.
Protected area: 1,273 acres (515 ha).
Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Jewel Cave National Monument" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category III.
Established: 1908.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Caves & caverns
- Hiking trails
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
Before you go
- Mobility
- Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.
- First aid
- 2 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Park alert: Cave Tour Reservations
- Advance cave tour reservations up until October 31st are available. November reservations will become available on October 1st. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations full? Choose a day to come to the park early in the day to purchase a same day cave tour ticket.
- Park alert: Appropriate Footwear Required for Cave Tours
- Visitors are required to wear completely enclosed shoes if participating in a cave tour, like tennis shoes, sneakers or hiking boots. Any type of sandals or shoes with any openings are NOT acceptable.
- Getting there
- 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.
- Weather & when to go
- Weather in the Black Hills varies significantly throughout the year and may be drastically different from the northern hills to the southern hills. The temperatures listed are for average lows to average highs in the location of Custer, South Dakota. Spring ~ Temp. Range of 29°F to 53°F / Summer ~ Temp. Range of 54°F to 80°F / Fall ~ Temp. Range of 33°F to 58°F / Winter ~ Temp. Range of 14°F to 37°F The yearly average rain is 19 in., with May being the wettest month. The yearly average snow is 48 in.
- Visitor center
- Approaching Jewel Cave's Historic Ranger Cabin
- Visitor center
- Bush’s Shelter Cave on route to the Historic Entrance
- Visitor center
- Circle of Benches near the Historic Cabin
- Visitor center
- Hell Canyon Overlook by the Historic Entrance
- Visitor center
- Hell Canyon Overlook on the West Side of the Historic Ranger Cabin
- Visitor center
- Historic Cabin’s Front Porch
- Visitor center
- Historic Entrance
- Visitor center
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center — The visitor center hours vary based on the season. Due to reduced staff, limited hours of operation are available in the off-season. Please call the Visitor Center at (605) 673-8300 with any questions. — 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 Highway 16 / 385.
Facilities on the park map
6 bench, 1 changing table, 2 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 2 first aid station, 2 mobility rental, 9 picnic area, 15 restroom, 23 visitor information, 2 water fountain.