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

Jewel Cave National Monument

National Monument · South Dakota · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
6056738300
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

What's here

Highlights: Explorers and Expeditions · Animals · Birds · Cats (wild) · Elk · Caves, Caverns and Karst · Fire · Geology · Trails

Activities & features: Caving · Guided Tours · Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Snowshoeing · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching · Park Film · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Photos

  • A cave explorer sits on some rocks and looks at a clear blue lake in Jewel Cave.
    NPS Photo / Dan Austin
  • A park ranger is standing on a metal platform within a long passageway with a vaulted ceiling.
    NPS Photo / Dan Austin
  • A caver squeezes through a very small and tight opening, surrounded by multi-colored rocks.
    NPS Photo
  • A park ranger stands as a silhouette in a large room in Jewel Cave.
    NPS Photo / Dan Austin
  • White-colored crystals with blunt tips sparkle against a black background.
    NPS Photo
  • A bighorn sheep ram stands in the highway, with a camper stopped in the other lane.
    NPS Photo / Bradley Block
  • A small red squirrel stands on a dead pine branch.
    NPS Photo / VIP Melissa Oehler
  • Fog filters through a stand of pine trees, with red and yellow foliage on the forest floor.
    NPS Photo / Bradley Block

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65 parks mapped in South Dakota

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12