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Black Hills Caves

Of all the caves in the United States, none contain the vast variety of rare formations found in Black Hills caves. These caves display more boxwork than any other in the world. They also form some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world. Eight Black Hills caves are open to the public. Two are part of the National Park Service: Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

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Jewel Cave National Monument is the second-longest cave in the world. More than 135 miles of passages have been surveyed. Calcite crystals that glitter when illuminated give the cave its name. The cave's most common crystals are dogtooth and nailhead spar. The cave is located about 13 miles west of Custer. Follow the link for hours of operation and cave tour schedule.

With more than 110 miles of mapped passages, Wind Cave National Park is the fourth-longest cave in the world. It contains the world's largest display of a rare formation called boxwork. Above ground, the park is comprised 28,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest that is home to bison, elk, prairie dogs and other wildlife. Follow the link for hours of operation and tour schedule.