Jewel Cave National Monument
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- The Park Service lists no entrance fee for this site.
- Phone
- 6056738300
- Address
- 11149 U.S. Hwy. 16, Custer, SD 57730
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 maze of passages lures explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.
Hours
Jewel Cave National Monument
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.
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Changes to these hours
- Summer Hours, May 24 to Sep 8, 2027: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Holiday Closures - Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26: Closed
- Holiday Closures - Christmas Day, Dec 25: Closed
- Holiday Closures - New Year's Day, Jan 1: Closed
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.
Things to do
Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Caving, Guided Tours, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Shopping, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Watching.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Jewel Cave ↗