Jewel Cave National Monument
66 nearby · 2 free and dispersed sites within 25 mi
Photo: NPS Staff Photo
2 current alerts
As of Sep 20, 2026 · from nps.gov
- InformationCave Tour ReservationsAdvance cave tour reservations up until October 31st are available. November reservations will become available on October 1st. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations full? Choose a day to come to the park early in the day to purchase a same day cave tour ticket.
- InformationAppropriate Footwear Required for Cave ToursVisitors are required to wear completely enclosed shoes if participating in a cave tour, like tennis shoes, sneakers or hiking boots. Any type of sandals or shoes with any openings are NOT acceptable.
At a glance
- Near the park
- 66 campgroundsWithin 25 mi
- Free and dispersed
- 2 sitesWithin 25 mi
Where to camp
Camping near the park 66
- Aerial viewCampground
Camp site
4.8 mi · Custer, SD
- Aerial viewPublic Land
Comanche Park Campground
5.9 mi · Custer, SD
Free and dispersed nearby 2
See them on the mapServices nearby: 1 dump station
About Jewel Cave
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…
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.
Photos: NPS Photo / Dan Austin · NPS Photo
Things to do
- Caving
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Snowshoeing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Shopping
Plan your visit
Getting there
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…
Weather
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…
Plan your visit
Hours
Jewel Cave National Monument is a day-use area and is available for outdoor recreation on a daily basis throughout the year. However, although the monument is normally open for surface activities year round, the visitor center, park store, and ranger-guided cave tours and operational hours vary from season to season. This means that the surface features and recreational areas are open year round, yet staffing levels and visitor services may be limited during the off-season.
Getting there
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.
Weather
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.
Camped at Jewel Cave? You could be the first to say which site you'd pick again.
Reviews, photos and cell signal reports from real stays help the next camper choose.