Mount Rushmore- See the Great Shrine of Democracy

The day we spent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota’s Black Hills is a day I’ll never forget. If you’ve never thought about visiting Mount Rushmore, you’re in good company. I didn’t think about it either. My husband did.

Sure, I wanted to go to South Dakota. I’d been dreaming about visiting Badlands National Park for months. But my husband said he’d like to take a few days to visit Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore? I wasn’t too stoked about that idea. A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Haven’t we all seen pictures of Mount Rushmore in elementary, middle, and high school social studies classes? But my husband was intent on seeing it, so I had to get an attitude adjustment. And that meant a trip to my local library.

Where is Mount Rushmore?

Mount Rushmore is located in Keystone, South Dakota in the western region of the state known as the Black Hills. Besides Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills is also home to Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower National Monument- for starters.

Getting to Mount Rushmore- The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway

Mount Rushmore is easily accessible no matter which direction you’re coming from, but I recommend taking the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway if you have the chance. Built in 1933, this 70-mile (113 km) loop road connects Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore and features spectacular lakes, rock formations, forests, wildlife, and granite tunnels. The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway is more than just a way to get somewhere. It’s a destination unto itself. If you’re planning a visit to Mount Rushmore, there are two sections of the Byway you don’t want to miss.

Note: The best time to drive the Peter Noreck National Scenic By-way is April-October. The road closes to travellers in winter.

Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway are the two most regaled sections of the Byway for good reason. Both are twisting mountainous drives that leave you breathless from the exhilarating beauty of the scenery and the road’s harrowing turns. No Mount Rushmore trip is complete without doing at least one of these two drives.

Iron Mountain Road

Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16-A) is a 17-mile (23 km) drive connecting the eastern part of Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore. The road features wooden bridges and remarkable tunnel-framed views of the Memorial. My favorite part of Iron Mountain Road was traveling over the pigtails, feats of engineering that were once thought impossible to build. Pigtails are corkscrew-shaped wooden bridges that efficiently navigate steep elevation changes. Get ready for a rollercoaster drive!

Note: I suggest taking Iron Mountain Road from Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore so you can see the tunnel-framed Memorial through the windshield rather than the rearview.

Needles Highway

The Needles Highway (Hwy 87) is a 14-mile (22.5 km) drive that connects the western part of Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore and features stunning rock spires, Sylvan Lake, and three tunnels. The Sylvan Lake Lodge is also on this route. (Next time, I’m staying there!)

Does Mount Rushmore Have an Admission Fee?

The parking pass for private vehicles, motorcycles, and RVs is good for one year from the date of purchase which works out great, because you need to visit the Memorial twice. Once during the day and again at night. I’ll explain why later.

Note: The parking fee for Mount Rushmore is not covered by the America the Beautiful Pass. However, seniors and U.S. Military veterans do receive a discount. See website for details.

First Stop- Lincoln Borglum Information Center

As you enter the Memorial, you’ll see the Lincoln Borglum Information Center on your right. Make sure you pick up a map and a copy of the park newspaper. Most national parks have their own newspapers with seasonal schedules of activities. If time allows, check out a ranger talk or guided tour, especially if you aren’t already familiar with the history of the Memorial. You can also find Mount Rushmore’s calendar of events on the park’s website.

Oh, and don’t forget to ask for Junior Ranger books while at the Information Center, especially if you have kids. What is Junior Ranger? Check out my post Junior Rangers Never Get Old to learn more.

Next- The Avenue of Flags

I can’t imagine a more appropriate entrance to the Memorial than the Avenue of Flags. The flags for every U.S. state and territory are displayed along the Avenue in alphabetical order. Talk about a grand entrance!

Mount Rushmore’s Grand View Terrace

After you exit the Avenue of Flags, you’ll be on the Grand Terrace. This was the best place for a photo that we found in front of the Memorial.

Tip: I’ve learned it’s best to get portrait photos like this before you’re tired and ready to leave, so stop here and get your photo with the Memorial before you start exploring.

The Presidential Trail

The Presidential Trail is the closest you can get to the Presidents and affords the best vantage point for studying their facial details. My favorite detail is the pair of glasses worn by Theodore Roosevelt. Can you believe how realistic and accurate they are? You’ll have to visit Mount Rushmore to see what I mean.

There are two trailheads for the Presidential Trail- one to the right of the Grand Terrace and one to the left. The trail can be walked clockwise or counterclockwise. I suggest walking the trail counterclockwise and stopping to tour the Sculptor’s Studio first.

Note: If you have mobility concerns, be aware the only ADA accessible part of the Presidential Trail is the first .2 miles starting at the trailhead on the left of the Grand Terrace (facing the Memorial). The last .4 miles of the Presidential Trail is not accessible due to the approximately 425 stairs that lead up to the Sculptor’s Studio. If you want to visit the Sculptor’s Studio and you have mobility concerns, you can access the Studio from a designated parking area close by. The Sculptor’s Studio itself is accessible.

Sculptor’s Studio

You will find the Sculptor’s Studio along the Presidential Trail. This is another can’t-miss feature of Mount Rushmore. The Sculptor’s Studio was the second studio built on-site for Gutzon Borglum, creator of the Memorial. He supervised the work on Mount Rushmore between 1939-1941 from this very spot. In the Sculptor’s Studio you’ll find the original to-scale model for the Presidents. Borglum used this model to work out the placement of the faces, their measurements, and the carving methods that would replicate his masterpiece on the rock. I won’t tell you what those methods were, but they were pretty darn crazy.

Look at the Memorial and compare it to the photo below. Do you see anything interesting? You’ll find out all about it in the Sculptor’s Studio.

So, who was this Gutzon guy?

Gutzon Borglum- Mount Rushmore’s Mastermind

Considered a bit of a madman, Gutzon Borglum (1847-1941) was an artistic genius who became one of the most elite sculptors of the early-mid 20th century. Borglum’s most famous work is Mount Rushmore, but he is known for many others.

How did Borglum get the Mount Rushmore gig? You might be surprised. Borglum already had a reputation for his mountain-carving skills. He was the sculptor originally hired to create Stone Mountain in Georgia. Even in Borglum’s time, Stone Mountain was controversial and therefore made it difficult for him to maintain financial backing. When he was approached about creating Mount Rushmore, Borglum left Stone Mountain unfinished and took off for the Black Hills. He destroyed his models for Stone Mountain before he left. Stone Mountain is an interesting story unto itself that I hope to write about another time.

Gutzon Borglum was a captivating character. Besides the book The Carving of Mount Rushmore, I found this PBS article about Borglum very interesting. Of course, there’s lots of information about Borglum at the Sculptor’s Studio and the park bookstore, too.

Don’t Forget the Mount Rushmore Store

Mount Rushmore’s gift shop/bookstore was one of the best we’ve ever visited in the national parks. Although you’ll unfortunately no longer be able to have the same experience we did, ours is worth repeating.

When we walked into the gift shop, this elderly gentleman was sitting quietly in a chair with books laid out beside him. Soft spoken and unassuming, he told us he worked on the Mount Rushmore crew in the 1930’s- and he wrote a book about it. Just as matter of fact as that. Of course, we bought Don “Nick” Clifford’s book, Mount Rushmore Q & A, and he happily autographed it. There’s no better Mount Rushmore souvenir than that! Mr. Clifford has since passed away, but his story lives on.

Tip: Unless you’re short on time or you aren’t planning on walking the Presidential Trial, I recommend waiting until the end of your visit to shop in the park store. I hate carrying a bag around while I’m exploring, and I always, always end up with a bag! I buy souvenirs at every park I visit.

Mount Rushmore at Night

If you think the Memorial is impressive by day, you must see Mount Rushmore at night! That’s why the good-for-one-year parking pass comes in handy.

There’s no explanation needed to see why it’s so awesome at night, right? I’ll give you one anyway.

Nightly Evening Lighting Program

Every night from Memorial Day thru September 30th, the park hosts a 45-minute program that culminates in the lighting of the Memorial. I urge you to make this a part of your visit to Mount Rushmore.

The program includes a short ranger talk about the Memorial followed by a film about U.S. history, and a ceremony to honor military service members. A park ranger invites service members in the audience to come on stage to be recognized for their dedication and sacrifice. I’ve got to tell you; this was a moving experience. There may have been a few tears shed.

Fireworks

Fireworks behind the Memorial were a big draw for the annual Fourth of July celebration for many, many years. Former President Joe Biden discontinued the practice during his administration; however, word on the street is there’s a plan to reinstate the fireworks in 2026. Just keep in mind, the fireworks are not part of the nightly ceremony– only the Fourth of July celebration.

Other Points of Interest Near Mount Rushmore

If you’re visiting Mount Rushmore, you’re probably already planning on visiting one or more of these places. But in case you weren’t, here are some of points of interest near Mount Rushmore you may want to add to your itinerary.

Dahl’s Chainsaw Art

121 Roy Street, Keystone, SD

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This place is so cool! Take a few minutes to stop by this unique spot in Keystone and marvel at the beauty a chainsaw can create. You may even get the chance to see the artists at work. Check out their shop while you’re there, too. You might find something you “wood” rather not live without.

Custer State Park and Wildlife Loop

13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD

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Custer State Park is one of the finest state parks I’ve ever visited. I’ve already given you a glimpse of what the park has to offer on Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway but wait- there’s more!

One of the most popular areas is the Wildlife Loop which encircles the bulk of the Custer State Park. (See a map of the Loop on the Custer State Park Resort website.) An 18-mile (29 km) drive through South Dakota’s signature grasslands is a must-do in my opinion. This is where the deer and the antelope play along with the buffalo, prairie dogs, and everyone’s favorite- the wild burros!

I’d be surprised if feeding the beloved burros is a park ranger-approved activity, but I didn’t see a sign prohibiting it. If you are planning to feed the burros, only feed them natural foods like fruits and vegetables and most importantly, FEED THE BURROS AT YOUR OWN RISK. They are accustomed to humans but are still wild animals. We bought a bag of carrots to feed the wild burros through the car window.

Clearly, these cuties are not shy. One stuck his head right into the car and totally freaked me out. I couldn’t believe the teeth on those things! We had burro slobber all over our windows for a couple of days. Find a car wash later. There are several available in surrounding cities.

Note: I don’t recommend getting out of your vehicle to feed the burros and definitely DO NOT FEED any other animal in the park. All animals in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable if approached. A trip to a hospital is a terrible vacation memory. (Yes, I know Custer State Park Resorts’ website shows a photo of a child standing in the prairie feeding a burro. I personally think that sets a bad example.)

You’ll need an entire day dedicated to visit Custer State Park if you plan on seeing/doing a little of everything. If you don’t have that kind of time, I’d pick at least one of the scenic drives and possibly the Wildlife Loop in addition to a trip to Mount Rushmore. Even that itinerary will be tough to do in a full day unless you get up at the crack of dawn and wind down late that night. Two days to explore both is better, and you’ll definitely need two or more days if you plan to add any other of these points of interest to your travel plan.

Crazy Horse Memorial

12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD

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Should you carve out time for Crazy Horse Memorial? You’d be crazy not to if you’re in the area. I enjoyed the museum and seeing the sculpture-in-progress, but the Native American dance performance was really special. A Lakota Indian dancer spoke about her culture and her ceremonial attire before showing off her skills. Beautiful!

Think the Memorial will ever be finished? Probably not in my lifetime, but the progress is part of its allure.

Jewel Cave National Monument

11149 US Highway 16 B12, Custer, SD

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You might have noticed in other posts that I’m kind of a cave fan. No way was I passing up an opportunity to tour Jewel Cave when I found out it was so close to Mount Rushmore. I was excited to see some new formations. especially cave bacon. It really does look like bacon. You have to see it to believe it.

You’ll need to reserve tour tickets on www.recreation.gov to be able to see the cave. Book your tickets as soon as you know your travel dates. You’ll find more information about Jewel Cave tours on the park’s website.

Wind Cave National Park

26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD

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I didn’t know what to expect from Wind Cave National Park, but I’m so glad we had some extra time and weren’t too tired to visit. Wind Cave is a wonderful park both above and below ground. Reminded me a little of Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. Although the scenic drive through the park is definitely worth doing, I recommend taking a cave tour if you can. Take note of the cave’s signature boxwork formations shown in the photo below. These are rarely found elsewhere.

We had one of the best ranger-led tours ever at Wind Cave. The ranger did such a good job I wanted to have my photo taken with him afterward.

Just like Jewel Cave, you’ll need to go to www.recreation.gov to make tour reservations for Wind Cave. Make those reservations in advance! For more information about tours, visit Wind Cave’s website.

And If You Have Even More Time

Spearfish Canyon

14 W Highway 14, Spearfish, SD

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Get lost in the immensity of the Black Hills on a drive through Spearfish Canyon. (I mean, don’t really get lost, just let yourself relax and enjoy the scenery.) You can find a map of Spearfish Canyon on www.blackhillsbadlands.com. Whether it’s a daytrip or just on the way to getting to your next destination, Spearfish Canyon should be savored.

If you have time, stop and take the easy 2-mile (3.2 km) trail to Roughlock Falls. The trailhead is easily accessed from the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. We also hiked the 1.6-mile (2.6 km) Devil’s Bathtub trail. The Devil’s Bathtub trailhead is located near the town of Spearfish, SD and features water crossings, rock ledges, and a natural water slide.

For more information about hiking in Spearfish Canyon, including a trail map, visit South Dakota Fish, Wildlife and Parks website.

Note: One of the reasons why Spearfish Canyon made my list of must-sees was the fact it was featured in one of the final scenes of the Kevin Costner movie Dances with Wolves, one of my all-time favorites. This movie made me long to see South Dakota years before I discovered the longings of my own heart.

Deadwood, SD

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If you’re a fan of western legends like Wild Bill Hickock, Annie Oakley, and Wyatt Earp, you’ll want to make time to visit the city of Deadwood.

Located approximately 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Mount Rushmore, Deadwood offers a little something for anyone looking for a good time. Journey through time on the Original Deadwood Tour, watch a gunfight reenactment on Main Street, and check out the many casinos, bars, restaurants, and shops Deadwood has to offer. Whatever you decide to do in Deadwood though, don’t pass up Chubby Chipmunk.

Badlands National Park

25216 Ben Reifel Pl, Interior, SD

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If you’re traveling to South Dakota, don’t pass up the chance to see this geologic phenomenon just 105 miles east of Mount Rushmore. The scenic drive is outstanding, especially in early morning or late afternoon when the colors of the badlands are most striking. There’s something about these badlands that speak to my spirit. I’ll never forget how I felt when I saw them for the first time.

Devils Tower

149 State Highway 110, Devils Tower, WY

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Devils Tower was one of my favorite stops on our South Dakota trip, and it isn’t even in South Dakota! This monolith of a monument is in eastern Wyoming approximately 130 miles (209 km) from Mount Rushmore. Devils Tower was designated America’s first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Steeped in history and folklore, the 867-foot-tall igneous intrusion draws thousands of visitors each year. Be sure to walk the 1.8-mile (3 km) Tower Trail which takes you around the monument’s base.

I hope one day I meet Devils Tower again. There’s mystery here. A story of how something created from earth’s violence became a sacred place for one of America’s most influential, enduring cultures. I want to know that story and let it change me.

Now, Do You Want to Visit Mount Rushmore?

I certainly hope so. Mount Rushmore is truly a remarkable place, but there are so many other sights to see in the Black Hills and beyond. What I’ve featured here is just the beginning! We saw so much more. South Dakota was a whirlwind trip I’ll never forget. If you get a chance to go to the Mount Rushmore State, I’d love to know what you thought about it. Leave your comments below.

Thanks for reading!

From My Library

Attribution: Photo of Mount Rushmore through an Iron Mountain Road tunnel Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons.

Attribution: Both photos of the amphitheater were taken by my mother. Thanks, Mom!