{"id":"nps-jeca","slug":"jewel-cave-national-monument","name":"Jewel Cave National Monument","designation":"National Monument","category":"national-monument","categoryLabel":"National Monument","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"JECA","designation":"National Monument","sourceId":"nps-jeca"},{"code":"USFS","name":"USDA Forest Service","department":"U.S. Department of Agriculture","url":"https://www.fs.usda.gov","unitCode":"269472010602","designation":"National Monument","sourceId":"usfs-od-269472010602"}],"states":["SD"],"stateNames":["South Dakota"],"location":{"lat":43.73102945,"lon":-103.829994},"bbox":[-103.8474,43.7201,-103.8163,43.7419],"acres":{"value":1283,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[{"id":"ppl-m-jewel-cave","type":"protected","label":"Protected by T.R.","date":"1908-02-07","then":"Jewel Cave National Monument","thenKind":"national monument","text":"As President, Theodore Roosevelt set aside it (1908-02-07).","note":"A cave lined with sparkling calcite crystals in the Black Hills, now known to be one of the longest caves in the world.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-799-setting-aside-jewel-cave-national-monument-south-dakota","name":"presidency.ucsb.edu"},{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20200214180323/https://www.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/monumentslist.htm","name":"web.archive.org"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm","name":"nps.gov"},{"name":"Roosevelt’s Public Lands","url":"https://publiclands.labs.trlibrary.com/#place=m-jewel-cave"}],"dataset":"publiclands","reviewed":true},{"id":"ea-proc-799","type":"executive-action","label":"Traces to a T.R. proclamation or order","date":"1908-02-07","document":"Proclamation 799","title":"Setting Aside Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota","relation":"began with this document","text":"Proclamation 799 (1908-02-07): “Setting Aside Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota.” Today’s site began with this document.","note":"1,273.51 acres, the Park Service's acreage of record.","sources":[{"name":"Proclamation 799 in Theodore Roosevelt’s Executive Orders and Proclamations","url":"https://executiveactions.labs.trlibrary.com/document.html?id=proc-799"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division, Listing of Acreage (September 30, 2026)"}],"dataset":"executiveactions","reviewed":true}],"trTypes":["protected","executive-action"],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=43.7419&b_tl_lng=-103.8474&b_br_lat=43.7201&b_br_lng=-103.8163","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Jewel%20Cave%20National%20Monument","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/jeca/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/C6DE6447-A12D-692B-419DBA224FA0D35B.jpg","title":"Target Room","alt":"The target room inside Jewel Cave.","caption":"The target room inside Jewel Cave.","credit":"NPS Staff Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D11EA-1DD8-B71B-0BCC921BDE9A9253.jpg","title":"Hourglass Lake","alt":"A cave explorer sits on some rocks and looks at a clear blue lake in Jewel Cave.","caption":"Volunteer cave explorers discovered Hourglass Lake in October 2015, the first sizable body of water found within Jewel Cave.","credit":"NPS Photo / Dan Austin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D1365-1DD8-B71B-0BEF0C64C6FA265F.jpg","title":"Inner Sanctum","alt":"A park ranger is standing on a metal platform within a long passageway with a vaulted ceiling.","caption":"The Inner Sanctum is one of the longest and largest passageways along the Scenic Tour route, located near the Torture Room.","credit":"NPS Photo / Dan Austin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D14CA-1DD8-B71B-0BFB17D039DD3B5F.jpg","title":"The Brain Drain","alt":"A caver squeezes through a very small and tight opening, surrounded by multi-colored rocks.","caption":"The Brain Drain is approximately eight inches high by 24 inches wide and is the tightest passage on the Wild Caving Tour.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D1629-1DD8-B71B-0BC7B364204E089C.jpg","title":"The Heavenly Room","alt":"A park ranger stands as a silhouette in a large room in Jewel Cave.","caption":"The Heavenly Room is a large room along the Historic Lantern Tour within the historic entrance of Jewel Cave.","credit":"NPS Photo / Dan Austin","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D1784-1DD8-B71B-0B48192F22E64243.jpg","title":"Nailhead Spar","alt":"White-colored crystals with blunt tips sparkle against a black background.","caption":"Calcite crystals, such as nailhead spar, cover most of the walls, ceilings, and floors within Jewel Cave.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/64C79BE0-A659-8840-42FFC92F36170B12.jpg","title":"Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep","alt":"A bighorn sheep ram stands in the highway, with a camper stopped in the other lane.","caption":"Rocky mountain bighorn sheep are commonly seen within the monument, usually along Highway 16.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6631318F-9E50-F1B1-5C46DBD78B098DC0.jpg","title":"Red Squirrel","alt":"A small red squirrel stands on a dead pine branch.","caption":"Red squirrels are commonly observed along the Roof Trail near the visitor center.","credit":"NPS Photo / VIP Melissa Oehler","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/666058D9-0055-1D9F-119532F940F10BB9.jpg","title":"Fall Season Foliage in Fog","alt":"Fog filters through a stand of pine trees, with red and yellow foliage on the forest floor.","caption":"Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the monument. The colors of fall are often the best during mid to late September.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6683C845-E7F9-D3F7-FA56BC263BEE5F1E.jpg","title":"Winter in the Pines","alt":"Snow covers the ground and flocks pine trees.","caption":"Although a \"slower\" time of year, the winter season offers some of the best scenery of the ponderosa pine forest.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/669C0495-B3C1-7748-53CD13838A8BFB70.jpg","title":"Canyons Trail Descending toward the Historic Entrance","alt":"A paved path with steps heads down a hillside, with rock overhangs and pine trees nearby.","caption":"A portion of the Canyons Trail passes the historic entrance of Jewel Cave, with breathtaking views of nearby Hell Canyon.","credit":"NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/66D0137A-EFCF-7E62-092A694DA721B7CD.jpg","title":"Theodore Roosevelt Addresses an Audience","alt":"A look-alike Theodore Roosevelt speaks to visitors on the patio of the visitor center.","caption":"The monument hosts special events each summer, such as living history presentations of President Theodore Roosevelt.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/67005513-E175-D6A5-3F71D5C040E134FE.png","title":"The Ranger Cabin at Jewel Cave","alt":"A small, dark-brown cabin sits on top of a hill with a walking path leading to its front porch.","caption":"The original park ranger cabin, built during the 1930s, is available for public access during the summer and early fall seasons.","credit":"NPS Photo / Quentin Bucker","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/67260458-B411-2D76-E0F699529DB0957E.jpg","title":"Visitor Center Exhibit Area","alt":"A wall mural showing red-colored rock transitions into a room with a large cave map on the wall.","caption":"The visitor center provides several engaging exhibits and displays about the resources within the monument.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/675DE44F-038D-5BF2-BF9048834962E325.jpg","title":"Pasque Flowers in Bloom","alt":"White to light purple flowers with yellow centers poke through pine needles.","caption":"Jewel Cave is home to several species of wildflowers, such as the South Dakota State Flower - the pasque flower.","credit":"NPS Photo / Bradley Block","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6748AFF4-EBD6-9370-E358E0B05929CD5B.jpg","title":"Bats at Jewel Cave","alt":"A small brown bat rests on a red-orange colored rock.","caption":"Nine species of bats live within Jewel Cave National Monument. At times, visitors may see bats outside the historic entrance.","credit":"NPS Photo / VIP Connie McKinney","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Caving","Guided Tours","Hiking","Junior Ranger Program","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Explorers and Expeditions","Animals","Birds","Cats (wild)","Elk","Caves, Caverns and Karst","Fire","Geology","Trails"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Jewel Cave National Monument","description":"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.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"8:30AM - 4:30PM","monday":"Closed","thursday":"8:30AM - 4:30PM","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"8:30AM - 4:30PM","friday":"8:30AM - 4:30PM","saturday":"8:30AM - 4:30PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Summer Hours","start":"2027-05-24","end":"2027-09-08","hours":{"wednesday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","monday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","thursday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","sunday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","tuesday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","friday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM","saturday":"8:00AM - 5:30PM"}},{"name":"Holiday Closures - Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Holiday Closures - Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Holiday Closures - New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"6056738300","email":"jeca_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center","description":"The visitor center offers two rooms of interactive exhibits and engaging displays, featuring the surface and sub-surface resources. A large classroom area is also available for school field trips and special events, with large windows facing to the south toward Lithograph Canyon. A park store connects the classroom to the exhibits and is operated by the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. Ask to view our award-winning film about the park. Restrooms are available at the visitor center.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm","lat":43.7298476222,"lon":-103.829500854}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"black-hills-national-forest","km":30},{"slug":"norbeck-wildlife-preserve-national-game-refuge","km":30},{"slug":"mount-rushmore-national-memorial","km":35},{"slug":"wind-cave-national-park","km":36},{"slug":"bear-butte-national-wildlife-refuge","km":86},{"slug":"oglala-national-grassland","km":92}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=jeca"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"},{"name":"USFS nationally designated areas","url":"https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_OtherNationalDesignatedArea_01/MapServer/0"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.615Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Cave Tour Reservations","text":"Advance 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.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10088103","updated":"2026-09-01 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-10941525-9761-47FE-B4E7-D9E141F4DF0C"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Appropriate Footwear Required for Cave Tours","text":"Visitors 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.","url":null,"updated":"2022-06-22 15:55:00.0","id":"nps-E6BAE6AE-8791-4093-B1FF-4DA65C156D6A"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/jewel-cave-national-monument/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/jewel-cave-national-monument.geojson"}