Tour Jewel Cave

Custer, South Dakota

4.0/5

based on 3 reviews

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Distance

0.5 miles

Elevation Gain

20 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

Guided tours of parts of the 3rd largest cave in the world.

Established in 1908, Jewel Cave National Monument is home to over 179 miles of mapped cave passages. The cave features larger chambers and more interesting formations then nearby Wind Cave NP, and much of it is covered in spar crystals.

A guided tour is the only way to see the cave system unless you are in the park's limited volunteer cave exploring group. Depending on the time of year, up to 4 different tours are offered with the potential for the tickets to be sold out during the summer and holidays; tickets are only available the same day on a first-come-first-serve basis: http://www.nps.gov/jeca/planyourvisit/hours.htm. The cave is 49°F/9°C year-round but access can be closed in the winter due to severe weather.

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Tour Jewel Cave Reviews

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Tour Jewel Cave

09/22/20

Get out of the vast grassland and take a tour to mix up your trip to the Black Hills. I just took a quick basic tour due to time constraints.

5.0

Melissa Marsted

Tour Jewel Cave

09/10/20

I was there a year ago (Aug 2019) and the cave was closed due to elevator repairs so I checked on the status and it is now closed until further notice. There are some trails in the area but it is unfortunate that most if not all caves are closed around the US at this time so I cannot rate this appropriately but because I have been to other caves I am not particularly keen on other cave tours. I have been inside Carlsbad Caverns and the wait to get out was so so long. Seeing the bats flying in and out of the entrance of Carlsbad is on bucket list.

3.0

Isaac Parsons

Tour Jewel Cave

05/29/16

I took my 5th grade students on a field trip to Jewel Cave and the kids has a great time and a new experience for a lot of them. Something for everyone to learn here whether you're in 5th grade or an adult.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Tour Jewel Cave

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Tour Jewel Cave Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike through Hell Canyon

Hike the Custer Skywalk to Big Rock Observation Point

Kayak Sylvan Lake

Camp at Sylvan Lake Campground

Hike Sunday Gulch Loop

Sylvan Lake Shore Trail

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