Reservations are recommended to 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.

Jewel Cave National Monument

Rocky mountain bighorn sheep are commonly seen within the monument, usually along Highway 16.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Jewel Cave is home to several species of wildflowers, such as the South Dakota State Flower - the pasque flower.

Pasque Flowers in Bloom

The visitor center provides several engaging exhibits and displays about the resources within the monument.

Visitor Center Exhibit Area

Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the monument. The colors of fall are often the best during mid to late September.

Fall Season Foliage in Fog

Red squirrels are commonly observed along the Roof Trail near the visitor center.

Red Squirrel

A portion of the Canyons Trail passes the historic entrance of Jewel Cave, with breathtaking views of nearby Hell Canyon.

Canyons Trail Descending toward the Historic Entrance

The monument hosts special events each summer, such as living history presentations of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt Addresses an Audience

Nine species of bats live within Jewel Cave National Monument. At times, visitors may see bats outside the historic entrance.

Bats at Jewel Cave

Although a "slower" time of year, the winter season offers some of the best scenery of the ponderosa pine forest.

Winter in the Pines

The original park ranger cabin, built during the 1930s, is available for public access during the summer and early fall seasons.

The Ranger Cabin at Jewel Cave

The Heavenly Room is a large room along the Historic Lantern Tour within the historic entrance of Jewel Cave.

The Heavenly Room

Volunteer cave explorers discovered Hourglass Lake in October 2015, the first sizable body of water found within Jewel Cave.

Hourglass Lake

The Inner Sanctum is one of the longest and largest passageways along the Scenic Tour route, located near the Torture Room.

Inner Sanctum

The target room inside Jewel Cave.

Target Room

The Brain Drain is approximately eight inches high by 24 inches wide and is the tightest passage on the Wild Caving Tour.

The Brain Drain

Calcite crystals, such as nailhead spar, cover most of the walls, ceilings, and floors within Jewel Cave.

Jewel Cave National Monument

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Nearby Parks

Old Quarry Trails

Deerfield Reservoir