Mount Rushmore is one of the most recognizable US monuments. Often featured in photos and promotional travel materials, this iconic landmark winds up on many people’s travel bucket lists. However, Mount Rushmore can be more than just a quick photo stop. It can be an excellent opportunity to learn about the history and the art that went into making the monument. Keep reading for everything you need to know to visit Mount Rushmore, including timing your visit, how long to stay and things to do nearby. This Mount Rushmore travel guide has everything you need to plan your perfect Mount Rushmore visit.
About Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture of four past presidents faces carved into a granite cliff in the black hills of South Dakota. The presidents depicted are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Those four presidents were carved into the granite Mount Rushmore, or into the Six Grandfathers to the Lakota people. Gutzon Borglum, and later his son Lincoln, was in charge of the project that started in 1927. Initially, the faces carved in to the mountain were going to be people who were important to the region but the idea developed to include people with more national recognition. The project was finished in 1941 when it ran out of federal funding. All four faces were completed but the initial plans to add more body to the sculptures, like Washington’s, were never able to be completed.
Today, the National Parks Service runs the memorial which draws in 2-3 million visitors each year.
When To Visit Mount Rushmore?
Mount Rushmore is open year round. If you just want to see the sculpture, you can do that any time. However, if you would like to enjoy everything the park has to offer, the best times to visit are between June and September when all the daily events are happening.
Mid-day is the busiest time to visit. It also is typically when lots of ranger talks are scheduled so there may be more to do during that time. Morning is recommended for lower crowds. I personally like visiting in the evening, right before dusk. You can explore the memorial during the daylight, head in to the Visitor Center to learn some stuff and then see the monument illuminated in the dark. They also have a Lighting Ceremony during the summer which sometimes includes fireworks.
How To Get To Mount Rushmore?
Mount Rushmore travel plans normally include other South Dakota stops. Rapid City, 35 miles away, does have an airport. However, it is a small regional airport. Because of the price and/or flight schedule, most people, including us, decide to drive from farther away.
Getting to mount Rushmore by car is easy. Roads are well marked and well-paved. The parking area outside of Mount Rushmore Memorial is large and can easily accommodate the large numbers of visitors the park receives.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit Mount Rushmore?
The entrance to Mount Rushmore is free. However, you’ll need to budget $10/vehicle for the parking fee. This payment is made through a validated ticketing system similar to a parking garage in any large city. Keep your parking ticket if you think you may return later. Your parking ticket is valid for one year. However, most people just return at night to see the memorial lit up at night.
How Much Time Should I Spend At Mount Rushmore?
You can visit Mount Rushmore and snap a photo in about 15 minutes. However, set aside 1-2 hours. That will give you enough time to take your picture, walk the main Presidential trail and learn something at the Visitor Center. With more time, you can join a program or event.
Where Should I Stay Near Mount Rushmore?
Custer is the best place to stay for a visit to Mount Rushmore if you are planning on visiting other South Dakota destinations, like Wind Cave or Custer State Park. It is a central location that has plenty of food and shopping options for tourists. They offer lots of hotels, vacation rentals and campgrounds. Hill City is a similar town that is another great place to stay.
If you are just passing through, Rapid City is a large city that is still close to Mount Rushmore. This would be a good place to stay if you want to save some money as it is less touristy and therefore has lower average prices for accommodations. It is still close to Mount Rushmore but not as close to other South Dakota destinations.
Things To Do At Mount Rushmore
When making your Mount Rushmore travel plans, you could stop and head straight for the viewing platform and snap your picture and then leave. You could – and lots of people do. OR you could explore this list of things to do at Mount Rushmore and spend a little more time.
Visitor Center
Learn about the history of the monument at the visitor’s center. Stop to watch the 14 minute film that does a great job explaining the creation of Mount Rushmore. Even when I visited as a teen, I found this history fascinating.
Avenue of the Flags
This is the main walkway from the parking lot to the main viewing area. It is decorated with the flags of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three US territories and two US commonwealths. Admittedly, it’s a nice view but it feels a little theme park-y.
Grand View Terrace
At the end of the Avenue of the Flags is the main viewing area in the park. The Grand View Terrace gives you a clear view of all four presidents. There are also plenty of free viewing telescopes so you can look at the sculpture in finer detail.
The Presidential Trail
The presidential trail is a short loop trail that takes you to the base of the mountain for a close of view of the more prominent presidents and an even closer view of the waste rocks that were blown off the mountain as they carved the sculptures. This .7 mile loop trail is considered easy, takes about 30 minutes and does include an accessible option.
Sculptor’s Studio
The Sculptor’s studio is located at the beginning, or end, of the Presidential Trail loop. This area explores the tools used in making the sculpture. There are daily ranger programs here in the summer which are high quality! Check at the visitor’s center when you arrive for the scheduled times.
Ranger Talks
There are ranger talks offered daily from June-September. They offer both daytime and evening talks and delve into the history of the memorial. There are also Lakota cultural events like story telling and dancing. Check the schedule at the Visitor Center at the beginning of your visit and work your visit around the events of the day.
If you aren’t there during a ranger program but want a more guided tour, you can rent an audio tour for $6 in the Visitor Center. As you walk around you’ll learn more about the monument from the park staff.
Bonus: Drive Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road is a scenic drive through the Black Hills. From Mount Rushmore, you can drive the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, the longer version of this road, all the way to Custer State Park. But the part of the road just outside of the Mount Rushmore Memorial is curvy and beautiful with several viewpoints you can stop at for unique views of Mount Rushmore.
Things To Do Near Mount Rushmore
Typically, Mount Rushmore travel plans include other areas in the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore is just one stop in most people’s South Dakota road trips. Other nearby don’t miss attractions include:
- Badlands National Park – a popular stop for hiking and seeing the unique geological formations of the area.
- Wind Cave National Park – explore the above ground natural area or take an adventurous tour inside Wind Cave.
- Jewel Cave National Monument – take an underground caving tour – complete with crawling and climbing!
- Custer State Park – drive through to see more unique geological features and buffalo! The best spot for spotting buffalo in the region.
- Crazy Horse Memorial – though still in progress, when compete, this sculpture will be larger than Mount Rushmore and depict Crazy Horse.
We hope this has helped you to make your Mount Rushmore travel plans. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and we’d be happy to help. If you still need more information on South Dakota, check out our South Dakota travel page here.