Jewel Cave National Monument Custom Search With more than 127 miles surveyed, Jewel Cave is recognized as the third longest cave in the world. Airflow within its passages indicates a vast area yet to be explored. Cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system and its wide variety of speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, frostwork, flowstone, boxwork and hydromagnesite balloons. The cave is an important hibernaculum for several species of bats. Jewel Cave National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation on February 7, 1908    CONTACTS Email - JECA_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 605-673-3294 Write to RR 1, Box 60 AA Custer, SD 57730 Phone Headquarters - 605-673-2288 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Daily, summer: 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; winter: hours for visitation may vary, but generally the Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except on Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and January 1. Getting There PLANE - The nearest major airport is 54 miles away in Rapid City, South Dakota. CAR - The main Visitor Center and cave entrance is thirteen miles west of Custer, South Dakota on RT 16, 24 miles east of Newcastle, Wyoming on RT 16 and 54 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota via RT 16 & 16 -385. Weather & Climate Surface Weather-Summer days are usually warm or hot, often with late afternoon thundershowers. Spring and Fall weather is the most variable. Cool damp days alternate with warm dry ones. Winters are cold. Be prepared for changes in weather. Cave 'Weather'- Temperature: 49 degrees F (9 C), with approximately 98% humidity year round. Accessibility The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. Accessible restrooms are also available. The Target Room in Jewel Cave is accessible. FACILITIES Ranger Stations HISTORIC RANGER STATION Phone - 1-605-673-2288 Location - The Historic area is located .9 of a mile west of the main visitor center on highway 16. Exhibits - The Historic area is the location for our '1930's era' activities. Rangers are on duty at the historic log cabin and provide the Candlelight Tours. Visitor Centers JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT Open All Year 8:00am to 4:30pm Phone - 1-605-673-2288 Location - Jewel Cave National Monument is located 13 miles west of Custer,SD on highway 16 or 24 miles east of Newcastle,WY on highway 16. Closures - The Monument is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. Special Programs - Ranger-led surface talks are available throughout the day at posted times on a variety of topics. Exhibits - Interactive computers, Interpretive exhibits, and the Jewel Cave Map are available to introduce you to the resources of the Monument. Surface programs are also offered during the summer months.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Jewel Cave National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Custer Mountain Cabins, Custer, 0 miles away Spirit Horse Escape, Custer, 0 miles away The Roost Resort, Custer, 0 miles away Custer Crazy Horse Campground, Custer, 0 miles away Iron Creek Horse Camp - Black Hills National Forest, Custer, 0 miles away Custer KOA Kampground, Custer, 0 miles away Big Pine Campground, Custer, 1 miles away   Marinas Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Sheridan Lake Marina, Rapid City , 13 miles away Pactola Pines Marina, Rapid City , 15 miles away   Hotels Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Days Inn Custer, Custer , 0 miles away State Game Lodge, Custer , 0 miles away Super 8 Custer/Crazy Horse Area, Custer , 0 miles away Econo Lodge Custer, Custer , 0 miles away Americas Best Value Inn, Custer , 0 miles away Rock Crest Lodge and Cabins, Custer , 1 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites, Custer , 1 miles away   Trails Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Sunday Gulch Trail, Custer County , 4 miles away Lost Cabin Trail, Pennington County , 6 miles away Paha Sapa Trail, Custer County , 6 miles away Cathedral Spires Trail, Custer County , 6 miles away Sylvan Lake Harney Trail, Pennington County , 7 miles away   Ski Areas Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Terry Peak, South Dakota , 33 miles away, 1100 foot drop, 6 lifts, 24 runs   Whitewater Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Battle Creek, Pennington County , 18 miles away, Class III-IV(V) - 4 miles long (Harney to Hayward)   Public Lands Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone - SD , 19 miles away Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs - SD , 19 miles away Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison - NE , 57 miles away Custer State Park, South Dakota , 16 miles away Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, South Dakota , 19 miles away Angostura Recreation Area, South Dakota , 25 miles away Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Jewel Cave National Monument: Rocky Knolls Golf Course, Custer , 0 miles away Southern Hills Municipal Golf, Hot Springs , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Jewel Cave National Monument Bismark Lake, Custer County , 6 miles away Sheridan Lake, Pennington County , 15 miles away Deerfield Lake, Pennington County , 18 miles away