Things to Do Near Jewel Cave National Monument

Black Hills Aerial Adventures offers flightseeing tours over the breathtaking Black Hills and Badlands. Flights are available seven days a week, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., May through October. Our heliports are located near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial and Badlands National Park. Reservations are not required, but are welcome. Our helicopters can accommodate 3-4 passengers. With prior arrangement, we can accommodate most requests for customization. See our rates on our website.

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.

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.

At the South Dakota Outdoor Shop we will outfit you to be outside doing what you love. Stop in our owner-operated store in Custer and let our excellent staff of outdoor-enthusiasts help meet all your adventure needs. From outdoor apparel and hiking, biking & climbing gear, to camping supplies, water sport rentals and beer & snacks, we’ve got everything you need in one spot so you can “Gear Up and Get Out”! Our hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12-4 p.m., Sunday.

Your adventure awaits! Black Hills Balloons flies the southern Black Hills. Custer State Park and the Custer Valley are the heart of the flying area; just miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial and Wind Cave National Park. Your flight over mountains, valleys, lakes and prairies is a great way to view the area; home to elk, antelope, whitetail deer, buffalo and mule deer. Weather-permitting, flights take place daily at sunrise, May 1-October 31. Reservations required.

What is now the 1881 Custer County Courthouse Museum and Bookstore was once the hub of Custer County development from 1881 to 1974. Since then, it has been preserving and displaying Custer County history through the efforts of the Custer County Historical Society with the help of many volunteers. Constructed of bricks kilned locally, the building is of Italianate design. It has been a museum since 1976. Closed during the winter months, the museum opens for the season in early May.

Blue Bell is a Western-themed main lodge surrounded by 29 modernized, secluded cabins with kitchenettes, and many with stone fireplaces. There is a general store, plus chuck-wagon cookouts in the valley and hay rides. Horse trail rides and hiking trails originate from this lodge. Experience hearty ranch house dining in the dining room and lounge. We serve up true Western flavor with cattle-drive classics featuring bison, beef, chicken and fish, and even some rattlesnake sausage.

Located one-half mile from Custer State Park’s west entrance, the campground is situated on the location where General Custer's expedition camped in 1874. Custer’s Gulch features basic and deluxe camping cabins, a family cabin, tent spots, and spacious, full-service RV sites with 20/30/50-amp back-in or pull-thru options. Resort amenities include free Wi-Fi, a clubhouse with kitchen facilities, store, shower house, flush toilets, dump station, laundry facilities, picnic tables, and fire grates.

Located four miles south of Custer, Broken Arrow Horse Camp is a full hook-up RV park with facilities for your horses. We are in the middle of all the Black Hills attractions, plus miles and miles of trails. Come enjoy the hills with or with out your horse. We offer open-air horse barns, 40 pull-through RV sites, tent sites, five cabins, a four-room inn, outdoor kitchen, picnic pavilion, playground and general store. We are open seasonally, May through September. All reservations are handled by phone.