Jewel Cave National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: South Dakota
📘 Park Overview
Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lures explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.
🌤 Weather Information
Weather in the Black Hills varies significantly throughout the year and may be drastically different from the northern hills to the southern hills. The temperatures listed are for average lows to average highs in the location of Custer, South Dakota. Spring ~ Temp. Range of 29°F to 53°F / Summer ~ Temp. Range of 54°F to 80°F / Fall ~ Temp. Range of 33°F to 58°F / Winter ~ Temp. Range of 14°F to 37°F The yearly average rain is 19 in., with May being the wettest month. The yearly average snow is 48 in.
🚗 Directions
By car: Jewel Cave National Monument is located 13 miles west of Custer, South Dakota and 24 miles east of Newcastle, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 16. The monument is about 54 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota via U.S. Highway 16 / 385. By plane: The nearest major airport, Rapid City Regional Airport, is 63 miles away.
Images
The target room inside Jewel Cave.
Credit: NPS Staff Photo
Volunteer cave explorers discovered Hourglass Lake in October 2015, the first sizable body of water found within Jewel Cave.
Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Austin
The Inner Sanctum is one of the longest and largest passageways along the Scenic Tour route, located near the Torture Room.
Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Austin
The Brain Drain is approximately eight inches high by 24 inches wide and is the tightest passage on the Wild Caving Tour.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Heavenly Room is a large room along the Historic Lantern Tour within the historic entrance of Jewel Cave.
Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Austin
Calcite crystals, such as nailhead spar, cover most of the walls, ceilings, and floors within Jewel Cave.
Credit: NPS Photo
Rocky mountain bighorn sheep are commonly seen within the monument, usually along Highway 16.
Credit: NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Red squirrels are commonly observed along the Roof Trail near the visitor center.
Credit: NPS Photo / VIP Melissa Oehler
Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the monument. The colors of fall are often the best during mid to late September.
Credit: NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Although a "slower" time of year, the winter season offers some of the best scenery of the ponderosa pine forest.
Credit: NPS Photo / Bradley Block
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Feb 9
Overcast
High: 49.5°F | Low: 31.5°F
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 19.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.3
Sunrise: 07:01 AM
Sunset: 05:17 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (55%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Feb 10
Sunny
High: 39.7°F | Low: 27.9°F
Humidity: 54%
Wind: 5.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.4
Sunrise: 07:00 AM
Sunset: 05:18 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (46%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 23.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Feb 11
Cloudy
High: 46.6°F | Low: 31.5°F
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 10.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.4
Sunrise: 06:59 AM
Sunset: 05:20 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (36%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 29.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Jewel Cave National Monument Turns 118!
Date: Feb 7, 2026 12:00am to Feb 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
11149 U.S. Hwy. 16
Building B12
Custer, SD 57730
🏤 Mailing Address:
11149 U.S. Hwy. 16
Building B12
Custer, SD 57730
📞 Voice Phone: 6056738300
📞 Fax Phone: 6056738397
✉️ Email: jeca_information@nps.gov