About
If you don’t have Mount Rushmore National Memorial on your Black Hills to-do list, well, it’s like visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower!
The 60-foot granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln overlook the pine-covered slopes and vales of South Dakota, each representing a page in our nation's birth, growth, development, and preservation.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum is the visionary of this memorial, selecting four presidents to tell America's story. He chose Mount Rushmore for its tall, southeastern granite face that catches good sunlight.
Borglum and a crew of about 400 workers began work in 1927 and spent 14 years shaping the mountain. The men used dynamite to blast away roughly 450,000 tons of rock, followed by workers with drills and finer tools to smooth the features. The project wrapped up in 1941, shortly after Borglum died, with his son, Lincoln, finishing the final touches.
An interesting tidbit is that the presidents were meant to be carved to the waist, but funding ran short, which is why you’llonly see the heads and partial shoulders.
Mount Rushmore also carries a complicated history, as the Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota Sioux, and were taken from them in the 1800s. Visiting lets you learn the full story, including Indigenous history and the ongoing conversations around the site.
Speaking of which, only a thirty-minute drive away are the Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. These attractions further add to a history lesson, adding depth, understanding, and insights into Mount Rushmore's past.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Fun Facts & Cool Features
The scale of the carvings will take your breath away! Each face measures about 60 feet tall, which means that if they had full bodies, they would stand around 465 feet high!
A patriotic feature at Mount Rushmore is the Avenue of Flags leading you toward the mountain. This walkway displays the flags of all 50 states, plus territories and the District of Columbia, making for one of the best photo spots at the memorial.
The ½ mile Presidential Trail offers a closer look, taking you near the base of the mountain, where you can crane your neck and admire the faces. Part of the trail includes boardwalks and stairs winding through ponderosa pine forest, making for an easy trek.
One of the perks of hiking the Presidential Trail is exploring the Sculptor's Studio, the workspace used by Gutzon Borglum from 1939 to 1941. Inside is his 1/12-scale model of the memorial he used to bring his vision to life. During the summer, 15-minute ranger talks are held here to shed light on the workers, the tools, and their carving methods. Best of all, you don’t need a reservation, and it’s free!
One of the more mesmerizing experiences at Mount Rushmore is the Evening Lighting Program. During the warmer months, a ranger talk and a short film lead up to the moment the mountain lights up. Witnessing the illuminated faces against the dark sky creates a somber, powerful scene.
When your crew has worked up an appetite exploring this National Memorial, you’re only a short drive from a hot meal and cold drinks. Skogen Kitchen in Custer features a chef-driven menu, while Firehouse Brewing Co. in Rapid City is your go-to for pub-grub and brews.
Without laboring a point, it's clear that visiting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a must on your South Dakota vacation. Few places let you learn so much while surrounded by such striking scenery.
Local Tips
- The busiest months are June, July, and August. Plan accordingly.
- Keep your parking receipt to return for the Evening Lighting Program.
- Plan on taking 1-2 hours to explore all this park has to offer.
- Pack a light jacket, since Black Hills evenings turn cool even in summer.
