Jewel Cave & Hell Canyon: A Perfect Black Hills Day Trip
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan.
That was exactly the case for us. We decided at the last minute that it had been far too long since we’d visited Jewel Cave National Monument, so we loaded up early and left around 7:00 a.m. We arrived at the visitor center shortly after it opened at 8:00 a.m., hoping we’d still be able to get tickets for one of the cave tours.
Although the online tickets had already sold out, Jewel Cave does reserve a limited number of same-day tickets each morning. If you’re hoping to visit without advance reservations, I highly recommend arriving shortly after the visitor center opens. We were able to purchase tickets for the Scenic Tour, and before we knew it, our day was off to a great start.
Stretch Your Legs Before the Tour
After buying our tickets, we had about an hour before we needed to report back to the visitor center. Behind the building are two hiking trails: the 3.5-mile Canyons Trail and the short ½-mile Roof Trail.
Since we didn’t want to risk missing our tour, we chose the Roof Trail. It’s a quick walk that offers a chance to enjoy the fresh Black Hills air before heading underground. If you have more time before your tour, the Canyons Trail would be a great option.
Exploring Jewel Cave
Before entering the cave, there are a few things to know.
You’ll need:
- Closed-toe shoes
- No food, drinks, or gum
- No bags inside the cave
After a brief introduction from our ranger, we boarded the elevator and descended into the cave, arriving in the Target Room, where the Scenic Tour begins.
The Scenic Tour is Jewel Cave’s most popular experience, and it’s easy to see why. Over the next hour and a half, we followed a paved, well-lit loop through a variety of incredible chambers and passages filled with sparkling calcite crystals and unique cave formations.
Along the way, we saw:
- Nailhead spar
- Dogtooth spar (the “jewels” Jewel Cave is named for)
- Boxwork
- Cave popcorn
- Flowstone
- Stalactites and stalagmites
- Draperies, including the famous “cave bacon”
The tour covers about ½ mile but includes 734 stairs, so don’t underestimate it. The stairs are spread throughout the tour, making it manageable for most people, but you’ll definitely know you got a workout by the end.
One thing I wasn’t fully prepared for was the temperature. The cave stays a constant 49 degrees year-round. I wore a sweatshirt and still found myself wishing I’d brought something a little warmer, so if you tend to get cold, I’d recommend bringing a heavier sweatshirt or light jacket.
The ranger did a fantastic job explaining the cave’s history, geology, and ongoing exploration. Even though we’ve visited before, I learned several new things and enjoyed seeing the incredible formations from a new perspective.
Pack a Lunch
The visitor center has a small gift shop with a few snacks and drinks, but options are limited. If you’re planning to spend the day hiking after your cave tour, I’d recommend packing a picnic lunch.
By the time we finished the tour, it was around 11:30 a.m. The contrast between the cool cave and the hot August sunshine was immediate. After spending the morning at 49 degrees, stepping outside into 98-degree heat felt like opening an oven.
Hiking Hell Canyon
Rather than heading home, we drove about a mile down the road to hike the Hell Canyon Trail.
We chose to hike the 5.8-mile loop clockwise, beginning with the steady climb through an open hillside that was heavily impacted by the Jasper Fire in 2000.
With very little shade during the first part of the hike, the heat hit us quickly. Thankfully, the higher elevation rewarded us with beautiful views overlooking Hell Canyon below. From the ridge, you can actually see sections of the trail you’ll eventually hike as it drops down onto the canyon floor.
Once we left the ridge, the trail offered a bit more shade, but not much. Normally, a small creek runs through portions of the canyon, but after such a dry year, there was very little water to be found.
Even with the heat, the scenery made the effort worthwhile. The mix of rocky canyon walls, towering pines, and wide-open views reminded us why this area is such a hidden gem in the southern Black Hills.
By the time we finished the loop, I was definitely ready to cool off and grab lunch in nearby Custer.
A Great Combination for One Day
Pairing the Scenic Tour at Jewel Cave with the Hell Canyon Trail turned out to be the perfect way to spend a day exploring the southern Black Hills. We experienced everything from cool underground passages filled with sparkling formations to panoramic canyon views under a bright summer sky.
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive shortly after the visitor center opens if you’re hoping to purchase same-day Scenic Tour tickets.
- Reserve tickets online ahead of time if possible, especially during the busy summer season.
- Wear closed-toe shoes.
- Bring a warm sweatshirt or light jacket for the cave.
- Remember that food, drinks, gum, and bags are not allowed on the tour.
- Pack a picnic lunch if you plan to hike afterward.
- Start Hell Canyon early or visit during cooler weather if possible, as much of the trail has little shade.
If you’re looking for a full day that combines one of the world’s longest caves with a scenic Black Hills hike, this is a combination I’d highly recommend. Just be prepared for a day of contrasts—from a cool 49-degree cave to a 98-degree hike—and you’ll leave with memories of two completely different, but equally impressive, Black Hills adventures.
