Things to Do Near Jewel Cave National Monument

Overland America provides outdoor adventures specializing in Jeep and Overland Trailer rentals. We are based in Custer and provide service to the areas surrounding the majestic Black Hills. Western South Dakota is an outdoor recreational paradise. There are 1.2 million acres of National Forest allowing off-road and overlanding enthusiasts access to thousands of miles of trails by using the Black Hills National Forest Motorized Trail System. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, and features many spectacular landscapes that provide a calming escape into nature. Overland America rental options include Jeep Wrangler Rubicons, a Jeep Gladiator, a Ford Bronco, camping trailers and camping equipment. Renters must be at least 25 years old.

The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of cave tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground. With a name derived from the crystals that line its walls, Jewel Cave is even more significant as one of the longest caves in the world, with more than 208 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. Located near Custer in the southern Black Hills, this national monument also features three self-guided above-ground trails: the Roof Trail, the Canyons Trail and the Hell Canyon Trail. Plus, there is a visitor center with an information desk, park store, exhibits, a theater, information about the Junior Ranger program and more.

Pageant Hill in Custer is known as the spot where the annual 4th of July fireworks are displayed. But, it's a busy place the rest of the year, too. From sledding in the winter to disc golf and hiking year-round, Pageant Hill is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors. The area is mostly heavily wooded with some rocky outcroppings. The park is primitive and the disc golf course is ungroomed. There is a shelter and portable toilets, but no drinking water. For more information, contact the Custer Chamber of Commerce.

Located in the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota, Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving in progress. When completed, the depiction of the great Lakota warrior will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. Crazy Horse Memorial is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, with funding being provided by admission to the memorial and private donations. The purpose of the project is to protect and preserve the culture and living heritage of all North American Indians.

With Dakota Frontier Tours, your day-long adventure showcases many highlights of the southern Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake, buffalo at Custer State Park, Needles Highway and the "pig-tail" bridges. We also offer tours of Deadwood, Lead, Terry Peak and Spearfish Canyon. Our personalized, narrated, guided tours are provided in air-conditioned, 15-passenger vans. We offer free hotel or campground pickup in Custer, Keystone and Hill City.

Named a Top 10 US Safari by MSN, 2015, our Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour will take you where only we can go: off-road. Trek through Custer State Park in an open-air jeep in search of pronghorns, elk and the noble buffalo. Along the way, our guides will share historical and educational facts about the park and wildlife, and help you spot the critters. Tours depart daily from the State Game Lodge, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., May through October. The ride takes about 1.5-2 hours.

Located 3.5 miles west of Custer in Black Hills National Forest, the 19-acre Beaver Lake Campground has great rates, family camping and spacious, level, shaded and open sites to suit any size RV or tent. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and all tent sites have rain shelters. We also offer nine cabins as well as shower and laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi at the office, heated pool, playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball and basketball courts, dog park, and more. We are open April 1-November 1 and offer discounts for extended stays.

Rockin R Trail Rides provides guided horseback trail rides in the beautiful Black Hills National Forest. We offer experienced guides and great horses at reasonable rates. We are centrally located in the Black Hills just outside of Custer and close to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. We are open late May (Memorial Day weekend) until October 1. Feel free to call or text us for more information.