2021-12-16 10:30:25
Explore One Of The Last Frontiers In The World Beneath the Southern Black Hills lies the underground world of Jewel Cave National Monument. The cave was discovered in 1900 and designated as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. ABOUT THE PARK With over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this treasured resource is the third-longest cave in the world. Sparkling calcite crystals, strands of gypsum, delicate frostwork, popcorn, flowstone and other colorful and rare formations decorate the cave’s chambers. The cave contains large rooms strewn with boulders, tight crawlways and dark fissures leading into the unknown. VISITOR CENTER The visitor center is located west of the town of Custer, and park staff are available to answer your questions and orient you to the monument. Immerse yourself in the interactive exhibits that showcase the surface and subsurface features, cave explorations and geological history. The facility is open year-round, with schedules based on seasonal visitation. A park store is also available through the monument’s non-profit cooperative partner, Black Hills Parks & Forests Association. Discover more at nps.gov/jeca. Things to Do Hiking Explore the ponderosa pine forest, open meadows and rocky terrain on the park’s surface. The trails range from level to steep and rugged. Historic Area The Jewel Cave Historic Area has picnic tables, a ranger cabin and a short paved trail to the Historic Entrance. Park staff can answer questions and provide Lantern Tours during the summer. Ranger Programs Rangers lead free talks, demonstrations and guided nature hikes. Various activities are scheduled at the visitor center throughout the day in the summer for those waiting for a cave tour. Wildlife Viewing Spot an array of wildlife at the monument, including elk, bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, songbirds and raptors. The Jewel Cave Historic Entrance is a hibernaculum for bats during the winter, and is one of the largest bat hibernation sites in the Great Plains. Guided Cave Tours Ranger-guided cave tours are available during the summer, with tours often filling by late morning. Please note that tour availability may be limited due to construction projects, inclement weather, pandemic restrictions and staffing levels. For updated information, visit the monument online.
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