Description
What is the Jewel Cave 200 Mile Lantern Pin?
This enamel lapel pin marks one specific moment in the history of Jewel Cave National Monument: December 15-16, 2018, when a team of six volunteer cavers surveyed 3,338 additional feet of passages and pushed the cave’s total mapped length past 200 miles. The design captures that moment: a headlamp beam lighting up the "200 mile" mark in the darkness underground. It’s a pin for people who know what that number means.
Made by L.W. Bristol Classics, a Tennessee-based manufacturer that produces custom souvenirs for national and state parks, the pin is sold exclusively through BHPFA’s store at Jewel Cave and online. It’s not a generic cave pin. It marks a specific date, a specific achievement, and a cave that keeps getting longer.
About the 200-mile milestone
Jewel Cave was discovered in 1900 by prospectors Frank and Albert Michaud, who heard wind rushing from a small opening in the Black Hills. For decades the cave was known mainly as a tourist attraction with modest mapped length. As recently as 1959, less than 2 miles of passage had been documented. That changed when local climbers Jan and Herb Conn began systematic exploration, mapping 15 miles in just two years and eventually charting more than 64 miles before 1979.
Their work set off generations of volunteer cavers who kept finding more. A 2014 breakthrough in the Splinter Section added over 24 miles on its own. By December 2018, the total stood at just under 200 miles. On December 15, the six-person survey team went in. They worked through that night, reached 200.0 miles, and kept going. When they surfaced, the official count was 200.3 miles.
Surveys have continued since. As of 2026, the total stands at more than 220 miles. Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world, behind Mammoth Cave in Kentucky (about 426 miles) and Sistema Sac Actun in Mexico (about 230 miles, mostly underwater). Hundreds of open leads remain unsurveyed. Cavers expect the number to keep climbing.
Specifications
- Size: approximately 1 13/16" x 1"
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Construction: enamel on metal
- Finish: colorful enamel front, brushed metal reverse
- Fastening: standard lapel pin post and clutch back
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics
Who is this for?
Cave enthusiasts and spelunking fans who follow the ongoing survey of Jewel Cave will recognize exactly what this pin marks. If you’ve been on one of the guided tours, watched the cave footage, or know the Conn name, this pin has context that a generic cave design doesn’t.
It also works as a straightforward Jewel Cave souvenir for anyone who visited and wants something that goes beyond the usual T-shirt. The headlamp design reads clearly even to people who don’t know the 200-mile story.
It pairs well with the Jewel Cave 200 Mile Limited Edition Pin or any of the other Jewel Cave collectibles in the BHPFA store.
Frequently asked questions
What does the “200 mile” refer to?
It refers to the total surveyed length of Jewel Cave’s passages. As of December 2018, more than 200 miles of corridors had been mapped underground, making Jewel Cave one of the longest cave systems in the world. The cave’s actual extent is believed to be much greater. Hundreds of leads remain unexplored.
Is this pin officially licensed by Jewel Cave National Monument?
Yes. The pin is approved by Jewel Cave National Monument and is sold through BHPFA, the monument’s official nonprofit partner.
What’s the difference between this pin and the Jewel Cave 200 Mile Limited Edition Pin?
Both commemorate the 200-mile milestone. The Lantern Pin features a headlamp design focused on the survey moment. The Limited Edition Pin has a different design and was produced in a limited run. Collectors often pick up both.
How do I attach the pin without damaging my jacket?
The pin uses a standard post-and-clutch backing. Thread the post through the fabric from the front, then press the clutch back onto the post from the inside. For lightweight fabrics like dress shirts, use a small backing card or foam pad behind the fabric to distribute the pressure.
Can I get my Passport to Your National Parks stamped at Jewel Cave?
Yes. Jewel Cave National Monument is an NPS site with a Passport cancellation stamp at the visitor center. BHPFA also sells the Passport to Your National Parks Classic Edition if you’re just getting started.
Does buying this support Jewel Cave?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Jewel Cave National Monument. Purchases through BHPFA’s store fund education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at Jewel Cave and across BHPFA’s partner sites: Wind Cave National Park, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, and the Black Hills National Forest.
How long is Jewel Cave now?
As of 2026, Jewel Cave has more than 220 miles of surveyed passages. Surveys are ongoing and the number continues to grow by several miles each active year. The NPS publishes updates on new discoveries at nps.gov/jeca.
