Jewel Cave National Monument
Explore one of the world's longest caves, adorned with dazzling calcite crystals and offering unique guided tours for all adventure levels.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant temps
Jewel Cave National Monument
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore one of the world's longest caves, adorned with dazzling calcite crystals and offering unique guided tours for all adventure levels.
"An unbelievably awe-inspiring experience! Would definitely recommend a trip to the cave!"
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot by booking cave tours online up to 30 days in advance, especially for summer visits.
🧥 Dress in Layers
The cave stays a cool 49°F (9°C) year-round. Bring a jacket or sweater for comfort.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Stunning Speleothems
Underground Chambers
Marvel at intricate calcite crystals, stalactites, and stalagmites that adorn the cave walls, creating a breathtaking underground landscape.
Historic Lantern Tour
Various Tour Routes
Experience the cave by the glow of a lantern, offering a unique, historical perspective and a chance to see fossils and bats.
Wild Caving Adventure
Wild Caving Tour Route
For the adventurous, this strenuous tour involves crawling and getting dirty to explore undeveloped sections of the cave.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Prepare for the Underground
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot by booking cave tours online up to 30 days in advance, especially for summer visits.
🧥 Dress in Layers
The cave stays a cool 49°F (9°C) year-round. Bring a jacket or sweater for comfort.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good traction are essential for navigating damp and uneven cave paths.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially for longer tours like the Wild Caving experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot by booking cave tours online up to 30 days in advance, especially for summer visits.
🧥 Dress in Layers
The cave stays a cool 49°F (9°C) year-round. Bring a jacket or sweater for comfort.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good traction are essential for navigating damp and uneven cave paths.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially for longer tours like the Wild Caving experience.
🧒 Junior Ranger Program
Engage kids with the Junior Ranger program for a fun, educational experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Jewel Cave for its spectacular underground formations and knowledgeable, engaging guides who make the tours both educational and fun. The cave's unique calcite crystals are a major highlight, creating a breathtaking, otherworldly experience. While some find the tour prices a bit steep for families, the overall awe-inspiring nature of the cave and the well-maintained facilities make it a highly recommended destination.
"Brilliant cave system along with tour guide. Richard has a lot of information. Inside the cave is spectacular. 250 stairs to walk up n down.
Buy ticket in advance on school holidays so you don’t miss out.
Highly recommend it Jewel Cave 💕"
N Maddern
"Magnificent tour guide (so sorry not to remember name) - knowledge was incredible. It's an underground science lesson with beautiful results - how lucky are we to have these amazing tites & mites to view. Highly recommend - fun light shows included in the tour also."
Nicki Hunt
"With so many caves to visit and a limited budget I had to choose one! Jewel Cave was it and it was a pleasure to do.
The whole setup is very professional, from the cafe to the tour. Great job.
The caves are quite massive and have been preserved in outstanding condition despite the human factor.
It’s a shame that the pool has receded but maybe one day it’ll return.
Finally a great job was done by our fun guide. 10/05/2025. He was fun and knowledgeable, presenting with enthusiasm and made the visit so enjoyable.
I think the prices are now a bit high and would be tough for a family. They should make a 3 caves for the price of 1 type of deal."
Paul Tooze (No Journey Too Small)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Jewel Cave National Monument is located in Custer, South Dakota. It's accessible by car via US Highway 16A. The nearest major airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), about an hour's drive away.
Yes, there is ample parking available at the visitor center, including designated spots for RVs and larger vehicles.
Public transportation options are very limited in this region. Renting a car or joining a guided tour that includes transportation is the most practical way to visit.
From Rapid City, take US-16 West towards Custer. In Custer, follow signs for US-16A West towards Jewel Cave National Monument. The drive is scenic and part of the Black Hills experience.
Jewel Cave is part of South Dakota's 'Great 8' attractions, located near Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entrance to the monument grounds is free. However, all cave access requires a guided tour, and tour fees vary by the type of tour. Prices can be found on the official NPS website. Some reviews suggest prices might be high for families.
It is highly recommended to book your cave tour tickets online in advance, especially during the busy summer months (May-September), as same-day tickets are not guaranteed and tours can sell out.
The monument grounds and visitor center typically open daily, but cave tour availability varies by season and day of the week. Always check the official NPS website for current hours and tour schedules.
Jewel Cave offers several guided tours, including the popular Discovery Tour (easy access), the Historic Lantern Tour (unique experience), and the strenuous Wild Caving Tour for the adventurous.
While same-day tickets may be available, they are not guaranteed, especially during peak season. Booking online in advance is the safest way to ensure you get a spot on your desired tour.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip as the cave floor can be damp and uneven. Bring a jacket or sweater, as the temperature inside the cave is a constant 49°F (9°C).
Tour lengths vary. The Discovery Tour is about 40 minutes, while the Wild Caving Tour can take up to 4 hours. The Historic Lantern Tour is also longer than the Discovery Tour.
The Discovery Tour is generally accessible, but some tours involve stairs and uneven terrain. Check with the park for specific accessibility details for each tour.
Restrooms are available at the visitor center. There are no restrooms inside the cave itself.
Photography is generally allowed on most tours, but flash photography may be restricted in certain areas to protect the cave formations. Check with your guide for specific rules.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The visitor center typically has a small gift shop and may offer some snacks or drinks. For a wider selection of dining options, you'll need to travel to the nearby town of Custer.
It's best to consume food and drinks outside the cave to help preserve its delicate environment. Water is usually permitted on tours.
The town of Custer, South Dakota, offers various restaurants, cafes, and diners. You can find everything from casual eats to sit-down meals there.
📸 📸 Photography
The most stunning photo opportunities are within the cave itself, capturing the unique calcite formations and speleothems. The visitor center area also offers scenic views of the surrounding Black Hills.
Photography is generally permitted on most tours, but always confirm with your guide. Flash photography might be restricted to protect the cave's delicate formations.
A camera with good low-light performance is beneficial. A wide-angle lens can help capture the scale of the cave chambers. Tripods may be restricted on some tours, so check park regulations.
Be patient and wait for moments when lighting highlights the formations. Respect any restrictions on flash photography and avoid touching cave features.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Don't forget to ask about the Junior Ranger program! Completing activities related to the cave and its environment earns kids a badge and a deeper appreciation for this natural wonder. The constant cool temperature inside the cave also provides a welcome break on hot summer days.
💰 Budget Travelers
Pack your own snacks and drinks, as food options at the monument are limited and can be pricey. Visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) might offer slightly lower crowds and potentially more flexibility with tour bookings.
🚶♀️ Adventure Seekers
If the Wild Caving Tour seems too intense, the Historic Lantern Tour offers a different kind of adventure, immersing you in the past with the ambiance of lantern light. It's a unique way to experience the cave's history and geology.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Jewel Cave's Unique Formations
Visitors on the Discovery Tour get to witness a significant portion of these formations, experiencing the cave's grandeur in a relatively accessible way. The well-maintained pathways and lighting enhance the visual experience, making it feel like stepping into another world. Guides often point out specific formations and share geological insights, enriching the understanding of how these natural wonders were created over millennia.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Wild Caving Tour offers a chance to see less developed areas, though it requires significant physical exertion and a willingness to get dirty. This tour provides a glimpse into the raw, untamed beauty of Jewel Cave, showcasing its vastness and the ongoing geological processes at play.
Choosing the Right Jewel Cave Tour
For a more historical and atmospheric experience, the Historic Lantern Tour is an excellent choice. This tour takes you through older sections of the cave using only a lantern for light, providing a unique perspective on early cave exploration. You might even see fossils and bats, adding an element of discovery.
If you're an adventure seeker looking for a challenge, the Wild Caving Tour is unparalleled. This strenuous, four-hour tour involves crawling, climbing, and navigating undeveloped cave passages. It's a physically demanding experience that requires a change of clothes and offers a truly rugged encounter with the cave's depths.
The History and Discovery of Jewel Cave
Over the following years, the cave was explored and mapped by various individuals, including the renowned geologist and caver Ernest LaForge. His extensive work helped reveal the immense scale of Jewel Cave, which is now recognized as one of the longest caves in the world. The area was established as Jewel Cave National Monument in 1908 to protect its unique geological features.
The original visitor center, completed in 1938, still stands and served as the monument's headquarters and a place for early visitors to gather. This historic structure offers a glimpse into the monument's past and the early days of cave tourism.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit