What are the hours at Jewel Cave National Monument?

Mon: Closed; Tue: 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed: 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu: 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri: 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat: 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun: Closed (Jewel Cave National Monument)

Does Jewel Cave National Monument require a reservation?

No timed-entry or vehicle reservation is required to enter Jewel Cave National Monument. Individual tours, campgrounds, or backcountry permits may still need to be booked separately.

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Is Jewel Cave National Monument open right now?

Q: Is Jewel Cave National Monument open right now?

As of October 14, 2026, Jewel Cave National Monument is open. No active closures or hazards reported.

National Monument · SD

Open

Jewel Cave National Monument is open.

Why this statusNo active closures or hazards reported.

Last checked Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:00:58 GMT

Official NPS page ↗ ← Back to the map

Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world.

Type: National Monument
State: SD
Nearest town: Building B12

About Jewel Cave National Monument

Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 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 lures explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

Read more on Wikipedia ↗ Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.

Visitor info

Address11149 U.S. Hwy. 16, Building B12, Custer, SD 57730

Phone(605) 673-8300

Websitewww.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm ↗

Hours

Mon	Closed
Tue	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Wed	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Thu	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Fri	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sat	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sun	Closed

Jewel Cave National Monument

Getting thereBy car: Jewel Cave National Monument is located 13 miles west of Custer, South Dakota and 24 miles east of Newcastle, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 16. The monument is about 54 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota via U.S. Highway 16 / 385. By plane: The nearest major airport, Rapid City Regional Airport, is 63 miles away.

ReviewsSee ratings & reviews on Google Maps ↗

Parks near here

Black Hills National Forest 10 mi
Mount Rushmore National Memorial 21 mi
Wind Cave National Park 22 mi
Nebraska National Forest 39 mi
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest 45 mi
Badlands National Park 67 mi

More in South Dakota

All South Dakota parks & beaches →

How we read this status

We derive Jewel Cave National Monument's status from the National Park Service's own alerts and operating hours, refreshed hourly — this is our reading, not an official determination. As of the last check: No active closures or hazards reported. Full method: how we check park status.