.jpg){kind=link}
Colossal sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills featuring the 60-foot (18 m) heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln
General Information
5am to 9pm
March 14 to September 30, 2021
5am to 11pm
October 1, 2021 to March 12, 2022
5am to 9pm
Cars, Motorcycles and RVs
$10 per vehicle
$5 for Seniors (62 and older)
America the Beautiful Pass does not cover parking fee
From Rapid City (23mi) Head south on US-16 W/Mt Rushmore Rd toward Kansas City St. Continue to follow US-16 W. Use the left lane to take the US-16A ramp to Mt. Rushmore. Continue onto US-16A E. Continue straight onto SD-244 W.
Overview
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the monumental sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota that shows the faces of four U.S. presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into granite 60 feet high. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum and about 400 workers carved the memorial between 1927 and 1941. The monument is one of the most recognizable landmarks in America, and it is also located in the sacred Black Hills of the Lakota, which adds a significant perspective. Visitors come to see the memorial, to walk the Presidential Trail and to attend the evening lighting ceremony.
Access
The memorial is near Keystone, about 23 miles southwest of Rapid City, reached by US-16 and SH-244. Visitors drive from Rapid City in about 30 to 45 minutes, and the road to the entrance is well signed and paved. Most people arrive by car, and parking in the garage requires a fee. The memorial is close to Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial.
Seasons
The memorial is open year-round, with longer hours in summer. Summer is the busiest, with crowds and an evening lighting ceremony from late May through September. Spring and fall are quieter, and winter brings snow and fewer visitors, with a quiet, atmospheric view. Fog can obscure the faces at times. The Presidential Trail may be icy in winter.
Things to Do
See the Four Presidents
Mount Rushmore National Memorial's carved faces tower above the Avenue of Flags. The view from the Grand View Terrace is the classic one.
Walk the Presidential Trail
A boardwalk and stairs bring visitors closer to the sculpture. It offers different angles and views.
Attend the Evening Lighting Ceremony
In summer, a program with a film and patriotic songs ends with the lighting of the memorial. It is a popular event.
Visit the Sculptor's Studio
The studio displays models and tools used by Borglum. Rangers give talks.
Learn About Lakota Heritage
The Lakota Heritage Village and exhibits tell of the Black Hills' meaning to the Lakota. They add depth to the visit.
Top Trails
Presidential Trail
Length: Approximately 0.6 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Approximately 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This trail passes under the faces on a boardwalk, with 422 steps in all. A shorter, accessible section is available near the start.
Mount Rushmore Nature Trail
Length: Approximately 0.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
A short trail through ponderosa pine and granite offers views and quiet. It is a good option to escape crowds.
Black Hills Overlook Walk
Length: Approximately 0.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
A paved path leads to an overlook of the surrounding forest. It is quick and accessible.
Visitor Centers
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, near the entrance, has a museum, two theaters, a bookstore, restrooms and rangers who provide information and programs. The memorial is open daily, with the park gates open from early morning until late at night, and the center has seasonal hours. Parking fees apply, and entry is otherwise free. Check the National Park Service website for hours and the evening program schedule.
Camping and Lodging
There is no camping or lodging at the memorial, but nearby Keystone, about 5 minutes away, has many hotels, including the Best Western Mount Rushmore and the Roosevelt Inn, and Hill City, about 20 minutes away, has lodges and cabins. Custer State Park, about 20 minutes south, offers lodges and campgrounds. Rapid City, about 30 minutes northeast, has the Hotel Alex Johnson and many chain hotels. Check each property's website for current availability.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Mount Rushmore National Memorial, National Park Service: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
