Good to know
- Tickets
- Free to enter the visitor center and trails. Cave tours are ticketed and can be reserved on Recreation.gov. Check nps.gov for current rates.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours for a cave tour and the visitor center.
- Best time
- Year-round, since the cave stays cool. Summer tours sell out, so book early.
- Getting there
- Custer is about 13 miles east. Rapid City Regional Airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car.
Where to stay nearby
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Jewel Cave National Monument questions
Do you need reservations for Jewel Cave?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer. Book tour tickets on Recreation.gov.
How hard is the Jewel Cave Scenic Tour?
It is about 80 minutes with over 700 stairs, so it is moderately strenuous. Not suited to people with heart, breathing or mobility limits.
What is the difference between Jewel Cave and Wind Cave?
Jewel Cave is known for its sparkling crystals; nearby Wind Cave is known for rare boxwork. Both offer ranger-led tours.
