Part of the National Park Service, Jewel Cave is the most popular cave in the Black Hills area and many tours are offered to go through this amazing national monument.
The Jewel Cave National Monument established February 7, 1908, gets its name from the illumination of the beautiful calcite crystals. In the light of a lantern, the crystals dance and sparkle before your eyes reminiscent of many gems glittering on the walls. This is the third longest cave in the world, and nearly 130 passageways, 133 miles, of cave area has been mapped There is a wide variety of formations in Jewel Cave, including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, frostwork, flowstone, boxwork, and hydromagnesite balloons, but the most common crystal formations are dogtooth and nailhead spar. The cave is also a great home to several species of bats.
Only 13 miles west of Custer, it is definitely worth the short drive, for such a beautiful sight
