Jewel Cave National Monument South Dakota

Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 166 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 lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

A local movement to set Jewel Cave aside for preservation culminated in the proclamation of the cave as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on February 7, 1908. The Michaud brothers eventually moved away and their family sold the claim to the government for about $750.

In 1928, a group of businessmen formed the Jewel Cave Corporation and provided tours to the public. This continued until 1939. The National Park Service began administering the monument in 1933 and park rangers from Wind Cave came to the monument in the summer.

In 1939, a National Park Service Ranger was stationed at the monument and began conducting cave tours and providing visitor services. The cabin became home to the monument’s first permanent ranger in 1941. Except for a brief period of closure during World War II, NPS rangers staffed the cabin and cave tour operation. Then, in the late 1950s, significant discoveries were made within the cave, which lead to development of a new visitor center and cave tour route,

Jewel Cave is the primary resource of Jewel Cave National Monument, and is currently the third longest cave in the world. Airflow studies indicate that most of the cave has yet to be found. Each year, explorers discover and map an average of three miles of cave passages.

The Monument is also home to a variety of plants and animals, and has a fascinating wildfire history.

A visit to Jewel Cave National Monument is most enjoyable when it is pre-planned. We suggest you begin by deciding which cave tour is appropriate for you and your family. All cave tours are ranger-guided and fees are charged for tours. Tour tickets are available at the Monument on a first-come, first-served basis. The Visitor Center is open daily, year-round, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

In addition to the cave tours, there are many opportunities for exploring on the surface at Jewel Cave National Monument. The 1279 acre park is located in a Ponderosa pine forest. The Jasper Fire of August 24, 2000 has changed the scenery of the Monument but it is an opportunity to see first hand the forest recovery process.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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