Jewel Cave National Monument
South Dakota
Jewel Cave National Monument, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is home to Jewel Cave, the fifth longest cave in the world and the second longest in the United States, with over 220 miles of mapped passages. Established in 1908 as the first national monument dedicated to protecting a cave, it showcases remarkable calcite crystal formations that inspired its name. The cave is a prime example of a "breathing cave," where air flows in and out due to changes in outside air pressure. Discovered in 1900 by prospectors Frank and Albert Michaud, the cave has been extensively explored and mapped, revealing vast chambers such as the Big Duh, which measures 570 feet long and up to 180 feet wide. The monument offers guided tours through well-developed pathways, allowing visitors to experience its fragile formations and underground wilderness safely. Above ground, the monument features hiking trails where visitors can enjoy local wildlife and wildflowers. Despite a major forest fire in 2000 that affected much of the surrounding area, the visitor center and historic buildings remain intact, continuing to welcome and educate the public about this natural wonder.
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Consejo: All access to Jewel Cave is via guided tours; it is recommended to book tickets early through recreation.gov or arrive early for same-day tickets. The monument is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy easy to moderate hiking trails on the surface and participate in Junior Ranger programs for children. Checking current conditions before visiting is advised.
Datos interesantes
- •Jewel Cave is the fifth longest cave in the world and second longest in the US, with over 220 miles of mapped passages.
- •The cave is named for the calcite crystals that cover many of its walls, giving it a sparkling appearance.
- •It is a notable example of a "breathing cave," where air flows in and out due to external air pressure changes.
- •The largest chamber, Big Duh, measures 570 feet long and up to 180 feet wide.
- •The cave's total estimated volume is about 8 billion cubic feet, with only a small fraction mapped so far.
Historia
Jewel Cave was discovered in 1900 by Frank and Albert Michaud, who expanded the entrance and opened it to tourists.
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt designated it as a national monument, the first cave protected in this way.
The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the area in the 1930s, and the National Park Service took over management in 1933, starting tours in 1939.
Exploration expanded significantly in the late 1950s and 1960s, with the Conn brothers mapping many miles of passages.
In 1972, a scenic tour route was opened after constructing an elevator and walkways.
The monument survived a devastating forest fire in 2000 that burned 90% of the surrounding area but spared visitor facilities.
Guía del lugar
Scenic Tour Loop1972
A half-mile loop featuring concrete walkways, metal stairs, and platforms that allow visitors to safely explore a spectacular section of the cave adorned with calcite formations and crystal-lined walls.
Big Duh Chamber
The largest known chamber within Jewel Cave, measuring 570 feet in length and averaging between 90 to 180 feet in width, with a height of approximately 30 feet, showcasing the cave's vast scale.
Surface Hiking Trails
Easy to moderate trails on the monument's surface providing opportunities to observe local wildlife and seasonal wildflowers in the Black Hills environment.
Contacto
Teléfono: (605) 673-8300
