Jewel Cave National Monument

National Monument · SD · nps.gov page

The target room inside Jewel Cave. — The target room inside Jewel Cave.Photo: NPS Staff Photo

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.

News

Jewel Cave National Monument to Host Native American Heritage Day 2026-10-21
Jewel Cave National Monument invites the public to a free Native American Heritage Day event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the monument’s visitor center. The event will feature music, dance and storytelling in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.
Jewel Cave National Monument Hosts Naturalization Ceremony Welcoming 12 New U.S. Citizens 2026-09-16
On Sept. 11, 2026, Jewel Cave National Monument hosted a naturalization ceremony for 12 new citizens in partnership with the United States District Court, District of South Dakota and the Denver Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security.
Jewel Cave Announces Operations for 2026 Winter Season 2026-09-01
Jewel Cave National Monument is changing its operations for the winter season. Starting Tuesday, September 8, the monument will be open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bat tests positive for rabies at Jewel Cave National Monument 2026-08-14
A bat at Jewel Cave National Monument has tested positive for rabies. Trained park personnel collected the live bat along the Historic Lantern Tour route on July 29. No human contact with this bat has been reported.
Jewel Cave Announces Operations for Summer Season 2026-05-08
Jewel Cave National Monument is changing its operations to prepare for visitors this summer season. The monument will be open every day starting Sunday, May 24, with extended hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Photos

A cave explorer sits on some rocks and looks at a clear blue lake in Jewel Cave. — Volunteer cave explorers discovered Hourglass Lake in October 2015, the first sizable body of water found within Jewel Cave.Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Austin

A park ranger is standing on a metal platform within a long passageway with a vaulted ceiling. — The Inner Sanctum is one of the longest and largest passageways along the Scenic Tour route, located near the Torture Room.Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Austin

A caver squeezes through a very small and tight opening, surrounded by multi-colored rocks. — The Brain Drain is approximately eight inches high by 24 inches wide and is the tightest passage on the Wild Caving Tour.Photo: NPS Photo

A park ranger stands as a silhouette in a large room in Jewel Cave. — The Heavenly Room is a large room along the Historic Lantern Tour within the historic entrance of Jewel Cave.Photo: NPS Photo / Dan Austin

White-colored crystals with blunt tips sparkle against a black background. — Calcite crystals, such as nailhead spar, cover most of the walls, ceilings, and floors within Jewel Cave.Photo: NPS Photo

A bighorn sheep ram stands in the highway, with a camper stopped in the other lane. — Rocky mountain bighorn sheep are commonly seen within the monument, usually along Highway 16.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

A small red squirrel stands on a dead pine branch. — Red squirrels are commonly observed along the Roof Trail near the visitor center.Photo: NPS Photo / VIP Melissa Oehler

Fog filters through a stand of pine trees, with red and yellow foliage on the forest floor. — Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the monument. The colors of fall are often the best during mid to late September.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

Snow covers the ground and flocks pine trees. — Although a "slower" time of year, the winter season offers some of the best scenery of the ponderosa pine forest.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

A paved path with steps heads down a hillside, with rock overhangs and pine trees nearby. — A portion of the Canyons Trail passes the historic entrance of Jewel Cave, with breathtaking views of nearby Hell Canyon.Photo: NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney

A look-alike Theodore Roosevelt speaks to visitors on the patio of the visitor center. — The monument hosts special events each summer, such as living history presentations of President Theodore Roosevelt.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

A small, dark-brown cabin sits on top of a hill with a walking path leading to its front porch. — The original park ranger cabin, built during the 1930s, is available for public access during the summer and early fall seasons.Photo: NPS Photo / Quentin Bucker

A wall mural showing red-colored rock transitions into a room with a large cave map on the wall. — The visitor center provides several engaging exhibits and displays about the resources within the monument.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

White to light purple flowers with yellow centers poke through pine needles. — Jewel Cave is home to several species of wildflowers, such as the South Dakota State Flower - the pasque flower.Photo: NPS Photo / Bradley Block

A small brown bat rests on a red-orange colored rock. — Nine species of bats live within Jewel Cave National Monument. At times, visitors may see bats outside the historic entrance.Photo: NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.