First of all, I'm only rating the 20 Minute Tour -- We arrived and all other tours were sold out and had to wait 90 min for the only tour left. In two words -- Huge Disappointment!
It was cheap enough but most of the things could have been told to us PRIOR to going in the cave. We rode...
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Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer
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Jewel Cave National Monument
11149 US Hwy 16, Custer, SD 57730
605-673-8300
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82 visitor photos
Ranked #7 of 24 attractions in Custer
Type: Caverns/ Caves, National Parks
Activities: Group tours/day tour, Group tours/walking tour, Hiking
Owner description:
Jewel Cave National Monument is home to one of the longest caves in the world. Offering an assortment of cave formations and recreational...
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Owner description:
Jewel Cave National Monument is home to one of the longest caves in the world. Offering an assortment of cave formations and recreational opportunities, many visitors are truly amazed by this underground wilderness. Most impressive is the fact that exploration and discovery continue to take place at this significant natural resource. As part of the National Park Service, the Monument offers four different types of cave tours: Scenic Tour (1 hour and 20 minutes), Discovery Tour (20 minutes) Historic Lantern Tour (1 hour and 45 minutes), and Wild Cave Tour (3 to 4 hours). Furthermore, an array of surface programs are also available during the summer months, which include guided nature hikes, patio talks, and special events. NOTE: Due to road construction in the immediate area and a parking lot project near the visitor center, advanced tour reservations will not be available in 2013. Cave tour tickets will only be made available on a first come first serve basis at the Monument. Interested park guests are welcome to call the visitor center directly for planning assistance.
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Plano, Texas
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NPSParkRanger, Public Relations Manager at Jewel Cave National Monument, responded to this review
18 June 2013
Dear Sir and/or Madam:
Thank you for taking the time to post a review of Jewel Cave National Monument online through TripAdvisor. Our interpretive staff tries very hard to accommodate as many visitors as possible and hopefully provide each individual with a memorable experience. Nonetheless, it appears as though we missed the mark with your visit, and we sincerely apologize...
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Iowa City, Iowa
Top Contributor
We read the descriptions of the available tours and decided to take the Lantern Tour. I can't believe it only cost $8. It was easily worth 10 times that much. Nicole, our tour guide did a great job and led us through the very dark and challenging caves to both the "Heavenly Room" and to the "Dungeon". If your guide...
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See 12 more reviews by mow11 for Custer
PA
Top Contributor
We just come from Jewell Cave. I can't compare it to Wind Cavd as not there. ButI have been to other caves in other states and this rates as the best. Partly due to the excellent tour guide who made it interesting even to small children on the tour. The group was not too large maybe 22 counting kids. We...
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See 5 more reviews by saramay for Custer
Salem, Oregon
Senior Contributor
We found Jewel Cave more interesting than Wind Cave in that it had larger rooms and more formations. All of the stairs (723) might discourage some.
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See 5 more reviews by fussy10_11 for Custer
American Fork, Utah
Senior Reviewer
We did this the day after doing the Wind Cave. Each cave is unique. This cave has good variety of formations. Lots of calcite formations, so felt like being under the sea to me, as it had big open walkways versus Wind cave where I was ducking my head a good part of the time. Lots of variety. Had cave...
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See 2 more reviews by sandman80109 for Custer
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Waited for the scenic tour and had a fabulous time. Would absolutely recommend, the tour took about 2 miles and was enjoyed by our whole family. Would go back!
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See 2 more reviews by Jason F for Custer
Top Contributor
We went very early and got there 5 minutes too late as they do not take reservations any more for the scenic tour so we did the 20 minute tour. Our guide was great but you really don't see anything much. The wait for the next tour was over two hours......
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NPSParkRanger, Public Relations Manager at Jewel Cave National Monument, responded to this review
14 June 2013
Dear Sir and/or Madam:
Thank you for the constructive feedback related to your experience on the Discovery Tour. We apologize if the 20-minute presentation did not satisfy your expectations. We do encourage visitors to take part in the Scenic and Historic Lantern Tours as often as possible ... due to the longer period(s) of time in the cave and more...
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Chicago, Illinois
Top Contributor
Tip: go early because the tickets run out fast. You will need warm clothes since the temperature in the cave is more or less 49F (9C).
Pros: beautiful cave. Lots of stalactites and other beautiful formations.
Cons: terrible tour. Our guide, Melissa, was focused on the kids that were in our tour. She only interacted with them.Tons of silly questions...
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NPSParkRanger, Public Relations Manager at Jewel Cave National Monument, responded to this review
1 June 2013
Dear Sir and/or Madam:
We appreciate your time and assistance with a review submission online related to Jewel Cave National Monument. Your comments have been passed along to Ranger Melissa for her awareness and future consideration.
We apologize if the Scenic Tour did not meet your expectations. All of our interpretive staff tries very hard to provide high quality presentations...
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Seattle, Washington
Top Contributor
The cave tour was nice, and the trails were worth hiking. Our tour guide was very nice and patient with those with lots of questions and those taking LOTS of photos.
If you're in the area, I would definitely recommend going. It doesn't cost $ to visit, but the tours cost $.
We went on the 1.25 hr tour, 1/2...
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See 9 more reviews by LittleFeet1018 for Custer
Guernsey, Wyoming
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We had a great time touring Jewel cave this past weekend. We took the hour and twenty minute tour with our grandson. Tickets were on a first come first serve basis and we only waited about an hour for the next tour. Great guide, terrific tour, but not for the out of shape, the tour is only a half mile...
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