Welcome to Jewel Cave National Monument! Jewel Cave, the second longest
cave in the United States and in the world, was established as a
National Monument in 1908 because of its scientific value and public
interest. President Theodore Roosevelt signed this legislation on
February 7, 1908 an action that protected the known cave at the time
(approximately one-half mile or .8 km). As of **[March
2008]{.underline}**, over 141.87 miles (228.32 km) of cave passageways
have been explored and surveyed, and exploration continues. Airflow from
the cave suggests that there may be thousands of miles yet to be
discovered.

Jewel Cave National Monument is located in South Dakota\'s Black Hills,
within a layer of limestone called the Pahasapa. This three-dimensional,
mazelike cave is significant in that it is one of the most structurally
complex caves in the world. The total of the known cave exists under
about three square miles (7.77 square km) of surface area. It contains
rare *speleothems* or cave decorations, which includes scintillates, and
the world\'s largest occurrence of hydromagnesite balloons (first
discovered at Jewel Cave). Abundant calcite spar crystals up to eighteen
inches in thickness coat surfaces within the cave, and formations such
as draperies, cave \"bacon\", popcorn, and frostwork are also found.

One aspect of Jewel Cave that truly sets it apart from many others is
the fact that visitors may experience the cave in a relatively pristine
condition. The impact of human travel through out the cave has been
reduced by the single entrance and recent discovery of the majority of
known cave. The popular Scenic Tour route was opened in 1972. The
cave\'s somewhat isolated, rural location and the fact that much of the
land over the cave is federally protected have resulted in minimal
impact from surface events or development.

The surface of the monument includes forest containing one of the last
old growth stands of ponderosa pines in the Hills. Lithograph and Hell
canyon wind through the monument. The pines, cracks and crevices in the
canyon walls, and Jewel Cave itself provide habitat for a variety of
wildlife including the Townsend\'s big-eared bat (*Corynorhinus
townsendii*), one of nine species of bats found within the monument.
Jewel Cave serves as a winter hibernaculum for one of the largest known
hibernating colonies of the Townsend\'s big-eared bats.

Jewel Cave today is still largely unexplored, providing unique
opportunities for scientific study. Continuing exploration and
scientific research in Jewel Cave reflect a deep-seated human desire to
venture beyond physical and intellectual frontiers. The staff hopes that
you will enjoy your visit to Jewel Cave National Monument.

**Welcome to**

**Jewel Cave National Monument!**

***Why are we here and what\'s special about us??***

**Purpose** statements explain the reason for the establishment of the
monument. The statements below come from the presidential proclamation
(1908), subsequent legislation, and the National Park Service Organic
Act.

Jewel Cave National Monument was established to:

-   *Preserve the Jewel Cave ecosystem, especially significant caverns
    and other geological features, for its scientific interests and for
    public enjoyment.*

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-   *Preserve the cultural resources of Jewel Cave for public
    understanding and enjoyment.*

**Significance** statements capture the essence of the monument\'s
importance and describe the distinctiveness and special nature of the
monument.

-   Jewel Cave represents a pristine and relatively unchanged
    underground environment featuring unusual speleothems and thick
    crystal deposits; the cave\'s length and single natural entrance
    also contribute to its unique nature.

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-   Most exploration of the cave has taken place just since 1959;
    scientists have concluded that most of the cave awaits discovery in
    the ongoing process of exploration.

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-   Jewel Cave provides almost unlimited opportunities for exploration
    and, consequently, for scientific research.

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-   Jewel Cave contributes important habitat for 10 species of bats,
    including the second largest known hibernaculum for the Townsends
    big-eared bat.

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-   Jewel Cave exhibits subtle, but critical connections to surface
    geology and hydrology.

**[Directions to Jewel Cave]{.underline}**

Jewel Cave National Monument is located in the Black Hills of western
South Dakota, approximately 19 miles (30.6 km) east of the Wyoming state
line. The monument headquarters and visitor center are reached via a
short spur road off of S.D. Highway 16, 25 miles (40 km) east of
Newcastle, Wyoming and 13 miles (21 km) west of Custer, South Dakota.
The \"Historic Area\", located 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the visitor
center is open during the summer (approximately the second week of June
through Labor Day).

Commercial airlines, connecting from Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City,
Utah, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and buses serve Rapid City,
South Dakota, a city of 55,000 northeast of the monument. Rental
vehicles are available in Rapid City. The most direct route from Rapid
City to Jewel Cave is via S.D. Highways 385 and 16, through Hill City
and Custer. Distance from Rapid City is 53 miles (84.8 km). There is no
passenger rail service to the Black Hills.

The park's mailing address is:

Jewel Cave National Monument

11149 US Hwy 16, Building B12

Custer, SD 57730

The park's telephone number is:

1-605-673-2288

For more information about the monument and cave tours our website is:

http://www.nps.gov/jeca/home.htm