Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Completed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his team in 1941, Mount Rushmore is operated by the National Park Service and includes an interpretive center and recreational trail network. Many travelers visit this popular South Dakota attraction on a day trip from nearby Rapid City. A typical sightseeing tour includes a meal at Carver’s Marketplace, time to explore the national memorial and its visitor center, and a visit to other Black Hills attractions, such as nearby Crazy Horse Memorial and scenic Custer State Park.

• Mount Rushmore is a must-see for history buffs, families, and visitors experiencing South Dakota for the first time.

• Combine your visit to Mount Rushmore with stops at Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park on a tour.

• Much of the memorial is wheelchair accessible, including the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and the Presidential Trail.

• Don’t forget to bring water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.

Mount Rushmore is about a 30-minute drive southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota, and most visitors arrive by car. There’s no entrance fee to visit the site, but there is a per-vehicle parking fee.

To strike a balance between good weather and sparser crowds, visit Mount Rushmore in September or October. Expect rainy and cold conditions in spring, and peak crowds during June, July, and August. No matter what time of year you visit, plan to come once during the day and again when the sculptures are illuminated at night.

While touring Mount Rushmore, don’t miss a visit to the Sculptor’s Studio, the space where Gutzon Borglum worked from 1939 to 1941. See the scale model of Mount Rushmore, and hear ranger-led presentations on the tools and techniques Borglum and others used in carving out the American presidents.

The best times to visit Mount Rushmore are early morning, ideally before 8am, or late evening when the mountain is illuminated. (It’s typically lit until 11pm in summer and 9pm the rest of the year.) The crowds will be considerably smaller than at midday, and the light will be fantastic.

No, there is no entrance fee to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. However, there is a parking fee per vehicle—once paid, you can park on-site for one year. Discounts are available for seniors (62 and older), and active-duty military personnel can park for free.

Most visitors take a self-guided tour of Mount Rushmore along the .6-mile (1 kilometer) Presidential Trail. Other activities include exploring the Sculptor’s Studio, which details the monument’s carving; attending special programs, like the evening lighting ceremony; and visiting Carvers’ Café to sample ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson’s family recipe.

Yes, there are many nearby attractions to visit along with Mount Rushmore. Consider exploring Crazy Horse Memorial, a monumental sculpture-in-progress; Custer State Park, famous for bison and other wildlife; Badlands National Park and its dramatic, barren landscapes; and Wind Cave National Park, with one of the world’s longest cave systems.

Mount Rushmore is wildly popular and has a lot of amenities, including a restaurant (with a smorgasbord of dining choices and fabulous views), visitor center, museum, bookstore, gift shop, restrooms, parking, accessible trails, and information desks. Some amenities close before the memorial itself, so check the park’s website before visiting.

Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. You need enough time to walk the Presidential Trail, explore the visitor center and museum exhibits, grab a bite at the café, and take in the views. To attend the evening lighting ceremony, time your visit for evening.