Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns

Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns is a limestone cave system southwest of Rapid City with multiple chambers lined by shimmering mineral deposits on the walls. The interior extends roughly half a mile underground and features passages with formations typical of caves carved through limestone bedrock.

The cave was discovered in 1929 by the Duhamel family and opened to visitors as a tourist site beginning in 1934. It remained accessible to the public until its closure in 2015.

The site bears the name of a legendary Lakota leader and was used by Black Elk, a noted Lakota educator, as a place for teaching about his people's heritage. The connection to Native American history remains visible in how the place is remembered today.

The cave entrance is located along South Highway 16 south of Rapid City near Mount Rushmore. Visitors should know that the site has been closed to public access since 2015, though the location remains a recognizable landmark in the region.

Underground air currents flow through the cave system and shift direction based on atmospheric pressure changes, indicating that deeper unexplored areas may exist. These air movements reveal that the full extent of the cavern has never been completely mapped.

Location: South Dakota

GPS coordinates: 43.96135,-103.30402

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04