Retaining wall extended - National Parks Gallery
Framing and rebar for the retaining wall above the tunnel entrance
Icon National Parks of South Dakota, public domain photograph
South Dakota boasts an impressive list of iconic National Parks including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument and more. Whether your plans are for hiking, biki... More
Jewel Cave Bat Banding - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A park ranger fixes a band to a bat's wing. Public domain photograph of educational activity, National Park rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Hell Canyon - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This part of Hell Canyon was originally included in the Monument boundaries. As more cave passages were discovered to the south and east, the boundaries were changed. This land is now the beginning of the Hell ... More
Jewel Cave Historic Area - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This photo is near Jewel Cave's Historic Area. Today, few trees remain here because of the Jasper Fire
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
This aragonite formation is in the Rambling Loft area of Jewel Cave
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NPS employee, Herb Conn, showing cave wind in Jewel Cave National Monument.
Historic Entrance Station - National Parks Gallery
Visitors to Jewel Cave would purchase their tour tickets at this entrance station until the construction of the current Visitor Center
Jewel Cave Gypsum Spider - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Most of the formations in dry areas of the cave have changed very little over time. This gypsum spider is located in the same area as those seen in the Cave Formation Photo Gallery.
Jewel Cave Mammilary Clouds - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
The area surrounding Jewel Cave is known for dramatic sunrises and sunsets.
Visitor at Historic Area - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The sign in this picture dates to a time when very little of Jewel Cave's passages were known.
Ranger with Ponderosa Sapling - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
This undated image shows a ranger examining a Ponderosa Pine sapling
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NPS employee sitting in Jewel Cave National Monument near a popcorn stalagmites.
Herb and Jan Conn, Jewel Cave National Monument, 1959.
Picryl description: Public domain image of an arch stone structure, bridge, or tunnel, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Historic Explorers - National Parks Gallery
Herb and Jan Conn (far left) were responsible for discovering 65 miles of Jewel Cave's passages between 1959 and 1981. Dwight Deal (far right) introduced the Conns to the cave and served as a ranger and helped ... More
Jewel Cave Information Desk - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
This photo is from 1974, 2 years after the current visitor center opened. The building remains, but nothing in this picture is still here!
Maaz Fareedi - Jewel Cave National Monument
This summer I will be working at Jewel Cave National Monument as a Resource Management intern. I’m from the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills, Illinois. This fall I’ll be finishing up my B.S. in Geology from North... More
Jewel Cave Elevator shaft - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Completed concrete work at the top of the elevator shaft. Workers stand on scaffolding above a 300' drop in the shaft.
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Gypsum flowers often appear transparent and ephemeral Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Caver at the Calorie Counter - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
The Calorie Counter is a small passage located between the Miseries and the mini Miseries near the public tour routes.
Caver at the Calorie Counter - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
The Calorie Counter is a small passage located between the Miseries and the Mini Miseries near the public tour routes.
National parks: Sandstone - public domain image
Sedimentary rock is formed when layers of sediments are deposited in a body of water, and then are cemented together by minerals leached from the water or sediments. Sandstone and limestone are common examples... More
Jewel Cave Calcite Breakdown - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Calcite crystal broke and fell off of the limestone walls of the cave. Underneath the fracture a gypsum formation can be seen.
National parks: Boxwork - public domain image
Boxwork and calcite crystal Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Gypsum Beard - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A dense collection of gypsum crystals and fibers forms a Gypsum Beard with calcite crystals behind
Broken Popcorn Stalagmite - National Parks Gallery
Another example of a broken hollow popcorn stalagmite.
Tourist Attraction - Jewel Cave Gypsum Beard
A delicate Gypsum Beard hanging from cave ceiling Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Gypsum Flower - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Gypsum flowers are typically only found in dry areas of Jewel Cave.
Tourist Attraction - Jewel Cave Popcorn Stalagmite
Stalagmite covered with calcite popcorn Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Dogtooth Spar - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Dogtooth spar is a form of calcite crystal with very sharp points.
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind
Tourist Attraction - Jewel Cave Popcorn Stalagmites
Multiple stalagmites covered with calcite popcorn, with broken stalagmite visible on right
Broken hollow stalagmite - National Parks Gallery
Stalagmites can form with hollow cores. This broken one is a particularly good example.
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Delicate curved 'petals' of gypsum flowers
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines.
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines.
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public domain natural history illustration
These fractal-like gypsum flowers resemble new growth on ferns just starting to unfurl
Tourist Attraction - Jewel Cave Hydromagnesite Balloon
Several Hydromagnesite Balloons Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Manganese - public domain image
A floor of fractured manganese deposits below a section of calcite crystal spar
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines.
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines. Public domain photograph of cabinet interior, office, living or dining room, furniture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Broken Stalagmite - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
A cross section of a broken stalagmite shows the various rings and patterns created over periods of deposition
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines.
Jewel Cave Hydromagnesite Balloons
Two Hydromagnesite Balloons Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines. Public domain photograph of a cabin, log house, dwelling in National Park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Video security: route from cabin to cave, Jewel Cave, 2007
Images of proposed route for buried utility lines.
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Delicate curved 'petals' of gypsum flowers Public domain photograph of quarry, mining industry, miners, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Hydromagnesite Balloons
Two Hydromagnesite Balloons Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Hydromagnesite Balloons
Two Hydromagnesite Balloons Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Wet Formations - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Jewel Cave is a dry cave, but areas with "wet" formations such as these stalagmites and stalactites do exist.
Calcite and Paleofill - National Parks Gallery
Calcite crystal colored red by iron from paleofill Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind
Historic Tour Group - National Parks Gallery
A ranger with tour group at the historic natural entrance to Jewel Cave
National parks: Popcorn - public domain image
Calcite popcorn nodules 'growing' from the floor Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Gypsum Beard - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Delicate strands of Gypsum Beard hang above a dense nest of gypsum fibers
National parks: Drapery - public domain image
Flowstone drapery with stalactites and small draperies Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Caver looking at Bottle Brushes
Bottle Brushes are a calcite formation caused by a stalactite submerged in water.
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork Public domain photograph of coral reef, underwater life, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Stalagmites - public domain image
A large stalagmite on the floor grows upward towards a stalactite on the ceiling.
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites hang from the ceiling above a pool of water. Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind.
Stalagmites and bottle-brush stalactite
Stalagmites form on ground as water containing calcium carbonate drips down from stalactites on ceiling. The bottle-brush formation is an indication that the water level in the pool rose and fell multiple times... More
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork with calcite popcorn Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind
National parks: Flowstone - public domain image
Flowstone over calcite crystal Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Drapery - public domain image
Flowstone drapery Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind
National parks: Paleofill - public domain image
While the cave was forming, some voids were filled in with other material known as paleofill, including dolomite and sandstone. Paleofill in Jewel Cave often contains iron, giving it a distinctive red color.
Jewel Cave Gypsum Spiders - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Gypsum Spiders 'emerging' from the rock surface. Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Gypsum Spiders - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Gypsum Spiders appear to stand on many thin spindly legs
National parks: Breccia - public domain image
An area of breccia containing angular fragments of other rocks cemented together with calcite crystal
National parks: Popcorn - public domain image
A bumpy calcite popcorn formation growing above red iron-rich paleofill
Jewel Cave Nailhead Spar - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Calcite crystal is a white color if no other minerals have coated the crystal.
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Gypsum Needles - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Individual Gypsum Needles beneath a roof of calcite crystal
Tourist Attraction - Formation Room Flowstone
A large area of flowstone and draperies in the Formation Room, with calcite crystals visible on the walls
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork on calcite popcorn Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork with calcite popcorn Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Boxwork - public domain image
Boxwork with layer of calcite crystal visible at left Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Stalactites - public domain image
Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind
National parks: Popcorn - public domain image
It is easy to see how cave popcorn got its name. This formation can be made out of calcite, aragonite, or gypsum and is common at Jewel Cave.
Jewel Cave Gypsum Spiders - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Its not hard to imagine Gypsum Spiders getting up and walking away from the cavers lights
National parks: Flowstone - public domain image
This formation is in the Formation Room at Jewel Cave. Flowstone is created by water flowing over existing rock. The water carries calcite with it, which is then deposited on the rock. As water drips over the e... More
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Delicate curved 'petals' of gypsum flowers
Jewel Cave Gypsum Beard - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Thin gypsum beard protrudes from a wall of calcite crystal Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Paleofill - public domain image
The iron-rich rock seen here is paleofill. It is thought to be sediment deposited by a sinkhole or as a part of the cave collapsed in the distant past.
National parks: Drapery - public domain image
Flowstone drapery Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Boxwork - public domain image
Boxwork with paleofill containing iron Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Flowstone - public domain image
Orange, red, and yellow flowstone. The red is Rhodochrosite, a mineral containing manganese and calcite.
National parks: Frostwork - public domain image
Aragonite frostwork Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Popcorn - public domain image
Well-defined popcorn nodules interspersed with aragonite frostwork
Jewel Cave Gypsum Beard - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Strands of gypsum beard form a 'necklace' below a wall of calcite crystal
Popcorn and Frostwork - National Parks Gallery
Calcite Popcorn with aragonite frostwork and calcite crystal Public domain photograph of coral reef, underwater life, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jewel Cave Going down - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Temporary lift equipment allowed construction workers access to the 300' elevator shaft and the cave below
Calcite and Paleofill - National Parks Gallery
A vein of white calcite crystal in red paleofill with high iron content
Tourist Attraction - Jewel Cave Cave Bacon
This may be Jewel Cave's most famous formation. Cave Bacon is a type of flowstone. This piece is over 10 feet long and can be seen on the Scenic Tour.
Jewel Cave Gypsum flowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Gypsum flower formations often appear to ignore gravity and form in a variety of curls and zigzags
Tourist Attraction - Manganese and calcite
A floor of fractured manganese deposits below a protruding section of calcite crystal spar
Jewel Cave Nailhead Spar - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Nailhead Spar is the most common calcite crystal formation at Jewel Cave.
Stalactites and Draperies - National Parks Gallery
Stalactites and draperies hang from the ceiling, with flowstone visible on the wall. Stalactites form hanging from the ceiling as water containing calcium carbonate drips down and leaves deposits behind. Drape... More
National parks: Drapery - public domain image
Flowstone drapery Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description