A black bat hangs from the wall of a cave
Unsplash Photo

Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. Exploration is still active with cavers discovering new sections throughout the year. In fact, it’s estimated that only 3% of the cave has been discovered at this point. Imagine being the first person to explore a yet-known portion of the Earth. On ranger-guided tours, you can see some of the most beautiful sections of Jewel Cave.

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Jewel Cave National Monument Information

Park Size: 1,273 acres

Established: February 7, 1908

Entrance Fee: None, but there is a fee for cave tours

Nearby Communities: Custer

Visitor Centers: The main visitor center is 13 miles west of Custer, South Dakota. Most tours begin here.

Campgrounds: None

How to Get There: Take Highway 16 west from Custer toward Wyoming.

Best Time to Visit: Year-round; the cave has a constant temperature. Visit in spring, summer, or fall to explore the rest of the Black Hills region.

Unique Things to Do: Take a guided lantern tour through the historic section of the cave at its original entrance.