| With more than 129 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.
| | Directions: | 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.
| | Contact: |
National Park Service
RR 1, Box 60 AA
Custer,
SD
57730
Phone: Headquarters 605-673-2288
Email: JECA_Interpretation@nps.gov
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