Jewel Cave is Snowshoeing into the Next Century

Photo: JCNM

January 9, 2017

Custer, SD – New Year, and a new you! Give yourself the gift of good health by getting outdoors and taking part in a snowshoe hike at Jewel Cave National Monument. The hike is slated for Saturday, January 14 at 1 p.m. on the popular Roof Trail near the visitor center. Park staff will instruct participants on the proper use of snowshoes and take a one-quarter mile recreational hike through the ponderosa pine forest. Snowshoes will be provided; however, participants are encouraged to wear warm boots or appropriate footwear for winter-like conditions

Additional snowshoe hikes are scheduled for Saturdays, February 18 and March 18, at 1 p.m. Participants not able to attend the January outing are encouraged to make plans for the late winter dates. If trail conditions prohibit the use of snowshoes, dry hikes will still take place at the same time and along the same route. Participants are encouraged to wear layered clothes. Each snowshoe hike starts at the visitor center. For those that do not wish to snowshoe, the visitor center will be open, and Scenic Tours in the cave will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Monument has embraced the National Park Service (NPS) Healthy Parks Healthy People Initiative and is planning a host of activities this year to encourage everyone to get outside. Bradley Block, Chief of Interpretation, states, “Being in nature can improve your mood and connecting with parks can enhance a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health. Although the NPS Centennial has come to an end, snowshoeing is a great way to Find Your Park in 2017.” Many people make New Year’s resolutions, and healthy lifestyle changes usually rank in the top three each year. Hiking not only burns calories through aerobic exercise, it also improves cardio-respiratory fitness, reduces depression, and often results in higher quality sleep. Plus, snowshoe hikes are a great way for families to spend time together outside.

Jewel Cave National Monument’s visitor center is open daily during the winter season from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cave tours are currently offered Friday through Sunday, and there are two different options each day. Each month, one Wild Caving Tour is offered on the third Saturday. This is the only tour which accepts reservations. Jewel Cave is lucky to have a strong volunteer contingent this year, and our staff hopes to offer daily cave tours soon. For the most updated information on tour schedules, visit the Monument online at http://www.nps.gov/jeca. Visitors are also welcome to call the Monument directly at (605) 673-8300.

Custer State Park Winter Trail Challenge

Custer State Park Winter Trail Challenge
December 22, 2016

Custer, SD – Custer State Park would like to introduce its first annual Winter Trail Challenge; we challenge you to get out of the house and enjoy this winter paradise.  Join a naturalist for the scheduled winter hikes; First Day Hike, January 1; Escape to the Park Hike (Game Lodge Hike), January 14; Lover’s Leap Hike, February 11; and the final Escape to the Park Hike (Sylvan Lake Hike), March 11 to earn a Trail Challenge souvenir pin.  Participants who complete all four hikes will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of the Spirit of Tatanka DVD.

The First Day Hike will meet at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center at 10:00am, Sunday, January 1.  The hike is two miles and will last approximately two hours.  Pre-registration for the First Day Hike is not required.

The remainder of the hikes for the season will begin at 1:00pm.  Most of the hikes meet at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center except the Escape to the Park Hike on March 11, which will meet at the Sylvan Lake General Store parking lot.  Hikes will be held regardless of snow conditions.  Snowshoes are available to check out and must be reserved in advance; please call the office (605) 255-4515 to make reservations.

There is no cost for visitors to participate in the hikes; however, a park entrance license is required at the hike locations.  Entrance licenses can be purchased at the Custer State Park Visitor Center on the day of the hikes.  The Visitor Center hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm.  The Visitor Center will be closed Saturday to Monday, December 24-26.

For more information check the Custer State Park Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/CusterStatePark/ or contact the Park Office at (605) 255-4515.