Jewel Cave National Monument

城市概覽

History Two brothers, Frank and Albert Michaud, discovered a strong breeze emerging from a small opening in a hillside. They enlarged the entrance enough to explore inside, and quickly filed a mining claim in 1900. The brothers intended to transform the cave into a tourist attraction, but the remote location of the cave precluded it from being a commercial success. In 1908, US President Theodore Roosevelt set aside the cave as a National Monument following a local movement to preserve the cave. Until 1959, Jewel Cave was thought to be only about 2 miles. Cavers Herb and Jan Conn took an interest in exploring the cave, and discovered over 65 cave miles over the next two decades. They helped decide where to construct the larger tourist-friendly entrance in the 1970s, and mapped out the route for the current Scenic and Discovery Tours. Since Jewel Cave has only one natural entrance, scientists can readily measure the amount of air flowing in and out of the cave as the outside atmospheric pressure changes. When these measurements are used to estimate the volume of the cave, it suggests that only about 3-5% of Jewel Cave has been explored; the cave could go on for another 5,000–7,000 mi (8,000–11,300 km).

Landscape

Jewel Cave National Monument is in a large pine forest.

Flora and fauna There are many wildflowers in the National Monument. Where there is a cave, there is often bats. About 1,000 bats use caves to hibernate during the winter. Elk, mule deer, rabbits, squirrels, a variety of snakes, hawks, eagles, and other birds can be found in the area.

Climate Spring: Rain or snow is common. Temperatures vary. Summer: Rain is common in June. Sunny and dry in July and August. Temperatures range from 70 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall: Mild temperatures and occasional rain or snow showers. Winter: Cold temperatures are common with occasional snow. The cave itself is a constant, somewhat damp, 49 °F (9 °C).

Visitor information Park website 1 Jewel Cave Na

如何抵達

By car The visitor center is on US Highway 16, 13 mi (21 km) west of Custer and 24 mi (39 km) east of Newcastle (Wyoming).

By plane The nearest airport is in Rapid City, 54 mi (87 km) from the visitor center. Car rental services are available.

當地交通

The above-ground portion of the monument is only about 1 sq mi (2.6 km2). Walking paths and trails are found on the surface. Most of the action starts from the Visitor Center, where there is an elevator that goes down into the main cave entrance. There is also the 2 Historic Area, with a 1930s CCC ranger cabin and the original 1900 cave entrance used by the Historic Lantern Tour.

必看景點

Wildflowers. There are copious amounts of wildflowers for the visitor's viewing pleasure. Do not pick, damage, or otherwise disturb the flowers. As you walk the trails, be cautious.

體驗活動

Cave tours

All cave access is by guided tour only. The monument offers a number of tours throughout the day.

Scenic Tour. Year-round, about once an hour. The cave's most popular tour. See a variety of speleothems (cave formations). Moderately strenuous, lasts 1 hour 20 minutes. (updated Jul 2025) Discovery Tour. Year-round, about every 1-2 hours. A quick introduction to Jewel Cave's natural and cultural histories, at the large "Target Room." Easy (but with stairs), lasts 20 minutes. (updated Jul 2025) Historic Lantern Tour (Check in at the Historic Area, about 1 mi (1.6 km) west of the Visitor Center). Jun-Sep, about five times daily. Carry an old-style lantern 0.25 mi (0.40 km) down the original cave entrance, through narrow passageways and steep wooden steps. This tour is unpaved and requires some stooping, and lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes. (updated Jul 2025) Wild Caving Tour. May-Sep, select days. Put on a hard hat and squeeze through the cave in its natural state. You scramble over cave "breakdown," chimney between cave walls, use a rope assist to climb a nearly vertical wall, and belly-crawl through tight passages; you must pass through an 8-1/2 inch by 24-inch crawl space before the tour. Along the way you learn about low-impact caving, caving techniques and safety. The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours. (updated Jul 2025) Tour sizes are limited. Tours can be reserved up to 2-3 months in advance on Recreation.gov. Same day tickets are not guaranteed, and it is common for tours to sell out during the summer months. The cave is 49°F (9.4°C) year round. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Hiking Roof Trail (South side of visitor center). 0.25 mi (0.40 km) loop. (updated Jul 2025) Canyons Trail (From the Roof Trail or the Historic Area). 3.5 mi (5.6 km) loop. (updated Jul 2025)

Birdwatching There are many birds to be seen in the National Monument, including the occasional bald eagle. As you walk the trails, keep an eye out.

住宿

There is no lodging in the National Monument. The nearest accommodations are in Custer.

Backcountry Jewel Cave is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest, and, as with nearly all U.S. National Forests, you can pitch a tent pretty much anywhere as long as you get away from the road and do not go down any roads marked as private.

順遊推薦

Wind Cave National Park — The other major cave park in the Black Hills. Some speculate that these two cave systems are connected to each other.