Things to Do Near Jewel Cave National Monument

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.

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.

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.

If you are looking for a rad thing to do in Custer, we are it! Old Pine Social will be axe-throwin', Bocce ballin', and Hammerschlagen-in' Friday through Wednesday. Come enjoy our selection of local craft and domestic beers on tap and a more than decent wine list. We will have tasty bites to enjoy while you kick it on the best patio in Custer. Also feel free to bring food in from one of our amazing Custer restaurants. All ages are welcome. Our hours are 2-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; 12-9 p.m., Saturday; and 12-7 p.m., Sunday.

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.

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.

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.

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.