Jewel Cave National Monument - South Dakota

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Jewel Cave: South Dakota’s Hidden Treasure
While rumors of gold in the Black Hills may have spurred the last Gold Rush, South Dakota still guards its most precious treasure jealously. Jewel Cave if one of the most impressive cave systems in the entire world.  Located in the Black Hills National Forest, along with many others, Jewel Cave National Monument is an enduring treasure that provides enjoyment for thousands of visitors every year.

At 142 miles in length, Jewel Cave is the second longest cave system in the world, second only to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. However, Jewel Cave National Monument boasts the most diverse natural rock formations, most diversity of life and much more.  This incredible treasure offers enormous enjoyment for visitors around the nation and around the world.

What can you enjoy at Jewel Cave National Monument?  The answers to that question may surprise you.  Of course, there are cave tours.  You can enjoy tours throughout almost any portion of the cave. The Jewel Cave Discovery Talk and Scenic Tour offer visitors the chance to explore the area, while the Lantern Tour allows you to experience the cave by primitive lamplight.

For the true explorer, the Spelunking Tour offers real exploration and challenges through the cave.  This is one of the most popular tours and requires at least some physical fitness.  Crawl through the dark, lashed to other explorers for safety and experience little seen areas of the cave that most visitors never get to experience.
However, to enter the cave, you must be on a ranger-led tour.  Ticket prices vary throughout the year, though tours only have to have 2 participants to continue.  There are limited numbers of tickets available for each tour, though.

What else can you do at Jewel Cave?  If exploring the cave is not enough, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. 2008 marks the centenary anniversary of the Monument.  The anniversary will be celebrated with numerous events throughout the year, including speeches by past explorers, caving classes and much more.  Enjoy this once in a lifetime event!

In addition, you can explore other areas around the cave.  The Monument boasts almost 1,300 acres, almost all of it covered with hiking trails, streams, lakes and more.  You can enjoy some of the most amazing beauty in the nation by simply taking a half hour hike through the area.  You’ll experience amazing wildlife, incredible natural beauty and much more.