Jewel Cave Information
Jewel Cave was discovered in 1900 and is the second largest cave in the world. This cave is in the Black Hills of South Dakota near the town of Custer. It has 146 miles of passages with many more miles left to explore. This is an educational vacation to learn about geology, exploration and current research.
Jewel Cave Tours
The tour lasts an hour and 20 minutes and you get quite a workout. There are tours offered for three different areas inside the cave. The tour consists of a half-mile walk and there are 723 steps to climb or descend. The tour is considered moderately strenuous.
Things to See
On the tour, you will see rare formations of fragile, silvery bubbles on the walls of the cave called hydromagnesite balloons. These formations are approximately an inch in diameter. There is also a powdery substance called moonmilk, which looks like cottage cheese, on the walls. This cave is home to 10 different species of bats.
Special Rooms
Wind blows through the cave because of barometric pressure changes. Several rooms inside the cave are named after the sound of the wind blowing through them. Some of the names are Hurricane Corner, Humdinger, Whistle Stop, Drafty Maneuver and Exhaust Pipe.
Special Tours
If you have limited mobility or need to use an oxygen tank, have a time limit or have young children, you can attend a Discovery Talk. This presentation tells you about the cave and you also get to view one room of the cave.
For a different experience, you can volunteer to help in the exploration and mapping of Jewel Cave.
Average Temperature
Average lows in Custer are around 10 degrees Fahrenheit in winter warming to 80 degrees during the summer months. The temperature in Jewel Cave remains around 50 degrees all year long.
Cost and Times to Visit
The cost of tours begins at $4 for adults, depending on the tour you select. If you have a Golden Age or a Golden Access Passport, you receive 50 percent off. You can call for reservations at 1-605-673-2288. The visitor center is open year round, except for holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tours are offered year round except the Lantern Tour and Spelunking Tour. These are offered from June to September.
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