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Mount Rushmore

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Landmark
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Mount Rushmore (United States)

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Mount Rushmore National Memorial, carved into the massive granite face of the Black Hills in South Dakota, features the colossal 60-foot massive heads of four highly influential United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Conceived and directed by the massive sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the massive project took 14 years to complete, from 1927 to 1941, utilizing massive amounts of dynamite and precarious drilling. The monument is intended to represent the massive founding, expansion, preservation, and massive development of the United States. However, the massive site is heavily controversial, as it is located on land considered deeply sacred by the massive Lakota Sioux, which was taken following the massive Black Hills War of 1876. History K7 — monumental sculpture and Native American relations.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-5-504101721201460-5
Rain mm131827549171614940351414

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a managed park with a fee per vehicle; all visitors can access the viewing terrace. The main sculpture is visible from the Grand View Terrace without any additional charge.
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Typical hours
The memorial is open daily; the grounds and parking are typically accessible from 5 AM to 11 PM. The visitor center and museum usually operate from 8 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours during peak summer.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the memorial, including the sculpture. A zoom lens is useful for close-up views of the presidents' faces; best light is in the early morning for front lighting.
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Time needed
Most visitors spend one to two hours walking the Presidential Trail and exploring the museum. For a more extended visit, including the evening lighting ceremony, plan for three to four hours.
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Combine with
Combine Mount Rushmore with Crazy Horse Memorial, which is about 30 minutes away. The Black Hills region also has Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park for further exploration.
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Getting there
Mount Rushmore is located about 30 minutes from Rapid City by car; there is ample parking on site. The site is accessible via US-16A and US-244, with clear signage from main highways.
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Insider tip
Attend the evening lighting ceremony when the sculpture is illuminated after sunset - it is a moving experience. Arrive early to get a good seat, as the amphitheater fills up quickly.

Geography

Coordinates
43.87910, -103.45910

Facts

  • The massive presidential faces are carved out of incredibly hard, massive Harney Peak granite.
  • Roughly 90 percent of the massive rock removed during the carving process was blasted away using massive amounts of dynamite.
  • The massive project employed roughly 400 workers, remarkably suffering zero massive fatalities during construction.
  • The massive monument was initially intended to feature massive western heroes like Lewis and Clark and Buffalo Bill Cody.
  • Gutzon Borglum died in 1941, leaving the massive project to be finished by his massive son, Lincoln Borglum.
  • The massive Black Hills region where it is located is considered profoundly sacred by the massive Lakota people.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Black HillsBlack Hills6 km · SWExplore →
Rapid CityRapid City26 km · NExplore →
DeadwoodDeadwood33 km · SWExplore →
Wounded Knee BattlefieldWounded Knee Battlefield123 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Mount Rushmore (11)

Flashers View🌿 nature

A scenic viewpoint in the Black Hills offering views of the Mount Rushmore sculptures.

Needles Eye🌿 nature

A narrow rock passage through the granite Needles spires near Mount Rushmore.

Black Hills Playhouse🎭 culture

A historic outdoor theater in Custer State Park near Mount Rushmore.

Doane Robinson Tunnel📍 landmark

A tunnel named after the 'Father of Mount Rushmore' on the Iron Mountain Road.

Mount Rushmore Viewpoint🌿 nature

A natural overlook providing a direct view of the monumental portraits on Mount Rushmore.

♿

Hall of Records📍 landmark

A 1938 stone vault behind the Mount Rushmore carving containing historical archives.

Rushmore Tramway Adventures📍 landmark

An aerial tramway offering panoramic views of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills.

🕒 Mo-Su 09:30-19:00

Big Thunder Gold Mine🏛 museum

Big Thunder Gold Mine, a historic gold mine turned museum in the Mount Rushmore area.

Sculptor's Studio🏛 museum

Museum showcasing the sculptor's tools and models for Mount Rushmore.

🕒 Mo-Su 08:00-20:00♿🆓

Sylvan Lake Beach🎡 recreation

A beach at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, near Mount Rushmore.

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Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the entrance fee?
Admission is free, but there is a parking fee.
How long does the visit take?
Plan for about 2 hours to explore the site.
Is the park accessible?
Yes, the path to the viewing platform is well maintained.
When is the best time of day?
Early morning or late afternoon is usually less crowded.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are allowed on the grounds but not inside the visitor center.
Mount Rushmore: where is it located?
Mount Rushmore is located in United States.
Mount Rushmore: what is there to see?
Highlights include Flashers View, Needles Eye, Black Hills Playhouse.
Mount Rushmore: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Mount Rushmore: why is it worth visiting?
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, carved into the massive granite face of the Black Hills in South Dakota, features the colossal 60-foot massive heads of four highly influential United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham…
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Rapid City — Mount Rushmore (United States)
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The 'City of Presidents' and the primary gateway to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park.

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