As one of the nation’s most iconic memorials, in Keystone, South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a bucklist item for many. The carved 60 foot granite memorial honors George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, all of whom symbolize freedom and democracy. Luckily, we had awesome weather for our one epic day at Mount Rushmore. The bright blue skies contrasted with the white granite made for excellent photos.
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How to Get to Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore is an easy day trip. Located in the Black hills in close proximity to Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), which is 45 minutes away. Rental cars are available at the airport..
From Rapid City, SD-Head south on US-16 W/Mt Rushmore RD-Continue straight onto SD-244 W. Follow the signs to the memorial entrance.
From Custer, SD-Head west on Custer St/Mt Rushmore RD-Turn right at the 1st cross street onto US-16 E/US-385 N/N 5th St-Turn right onto SD-244 E. Follow the signs to the memorial entrance.
How Much Time Should You Spend at Mount Rushmore Memorial?
There are many ways to enjoy Mount Rushmore, from taking a few pictures to hiking the trails. You could spend all day at the monument just reading through the informational materials in the visitor’s center or just take a quick photograph and move on. Realistically, the memorial can be covered in 2-3 hours’ time.
Information when Planning your Epic Day at Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is open 365 days per year. The monument opens daily 5:00 AM–11:00 PM in the summer months. October 1 through early March hours are 5:00 AM–9:00 PM. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor’s Center opens at 8:00 am daily, closing at 5:00 pm. Visitors can explore interpretive nature trails, a visitor’s center, the Sculptor’s Studio, Carver’s Café, Gift Shop and take Ranger-led tours of this iconic landmark.
Mount Rushmore is an impressive sight to behold, but keep in mind that the memorial sees over 3 million visitors a year. Extremely popular during the summer months, you will want to arrive early morning or after 5 pm. If you want to avoid the crowds, shoulder season months are best to visit is in April, May, September, and October. There are no national park entrance fees for the park, still you will need to pay the $11.00 parking fee. The pass is good for 7 days.
How were these 4 Presidents Chosen?
We often see Mount Rushmore as a monument to four individuals, but together they symbolize much more: they represent the beginning of our nation, its growth, and its preservation.
- As the nation’s first president, they naturally chose George Washington for his significance and role in establishing our great nation.
- Sculptor Gutzon Borglum chose to include President Thomas Jefferson as he contributed significantly to the expansion of the country through the Louisiana Purchase. Besides originating the Declaration of Independence, his portrait is used to symbolize growth.
- In order to symbolize the preservation of the country, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the USA, was chosen. This resulted from his words and actions related to the Civil War and slavery’s abolition.
- As a result of the Panama Canal construction and his economic efforts, Theodore Roosevelt represents development.
Wander the Avenue of Flags
Your epic day begins with a stroll down the Avenue of Flags. It will amaze you, adorned with flags from all 56 states, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. Also represented are the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands. They arranged the flags in alphabetical order when they widened the pathway during renovations. It is a sight to behold the flags lining the pathway perfectly frame the sculpted faces of the presidents. The avenue ends at the Grandview Terrace.
If you are renting the self-guided audio or multimedia tour, you can listen to the narrations given by Gutzon Borglum, Lincoln Borglum, native indigenous peoples and workers. The tour begins as you enter the park and has 29 stops. The tour cost is a reasonable cost for an in-depth self-guided tour available in the gift shop.
The Grandview Terrace
Unobscured views of the magnificent mountain are best at the end of the Avenue of Flags. Good spot for photographs and selfies. Early in the morning, you get a sense of peace sitting on the benches. The Grandview Terrace is just one of the 29 stops on the audio/multimedia tour.
Learn More at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum
Directly beneath the Grandview Terrace is the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum. Stairs or elevators to the left or right will take you down to the Visitor Center. The visitor center is informative, there are exhibits, a museum, and it has a theater. The “Mount Rushmore: the Shrine” is a14-minute video, played every 20-minutes. The film detail the story behind the creation of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It gives a great insight into the early planning stages of the memorial. The exhibits cover a great deal of information on the history, conflict and the carving process.
You can get a better understanding of the entire project inside the visitor’s center. We learned that these sacred mountains are not without controversy. It is important that the Great Sioux Nation, including the Oglala Lakota Sioux, holds such a profound spiritual and physical meaning for Pahá Sápa (Black Hills). A translation of the Lakota Pahá Sápa refers to “hills covered with black pines,” which seem black from a distance. The Oglala Lakota Sioux have an enduring connection to these Black Hills.
History of the Black Hills-Mount Rushmore
During the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, the U S Government and the Sioux Nation agreed to set aside the Black Hills sacred Indigenous lands completely for the Sioux people. However, with the discovery of gold in 1874 at French Creek in what is now Custer State Park, the invasion of prospectors, settlers, and speculators, the government violated the agreement. To this day, they have not settled the issue.
The mountain was originally called “Tȟuŋkášila Šákpe” meaning six grandfathers by the Lakota Sioux. They later renamed it for New York lawyer Charles E. Rushmore. He traveled to the Black Hills in 1885 to inspect mining claims in the region. It became the official name in 1930.
It was historian Doane Robinson who suggested building a giant sculpture in the Black Hills. Tourists would flock to the hills because of the iconic structure, he suggested. In 1925, Calvin Coolidge provided the funding firmly establishing the memorial.
Listen to a Studio Talk at the Sculptor’s Studio
A stop at the sculptor’s studio can be a wonderful learning experience. Open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, it is tucked away in a pine grove at the base of the President’s trail. Here we listened to a 15-minute Ranger-led studio talk. There is an original 1/12th scale model of the mountain that is the centerpiece of the studio. Used in 1939 by Gutzon Borglum. The narrative does a great job of presenting the history of the carving of the mountain.
Renowned Dutch-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum molding the Mt Rushmore National Memorial. His previous efforts included the carving of Stone Mountain in Georgia. Borglum’s original vision was to include not just the faces but the upper bodies of each president. As funding became an issue, he was required to par down his vision. Sadly, Gotzon died 6-months prior to the completion of the memorial. His son Lincoln, who aided in the project, completed it after his father’s death.
You might remember the filming of the National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Borglum did design a hidden chamber behind the right front lobe of Abraham Lincoln. He designed this to be The Hall of Records to keep documents and artifacts. Although Borglum never completed the room, his son Lincoln later completed it. In 1998, a small titanium vault was placed in the floor of the Hall of Records entryway.
Don’t Forget: passport cancellation stamps and NPS Junior Ranger programs are available at the Sculptor’s Studio.
The Building of Mount Rushmore
It took 14-years between October 1927 and October 1941 before they completed the chiseled presidential profiles. A total of 400 workers worked on the project. Incredibly, there were no fatalities reported during the sculpting process. The main method (90%) of rock removal was dynamite blasting. A series of steel cables supported bosun chairs, lowering the carvers to the faces each day. Many of the workers labored through the seasons in harsh conditions. Additional methods included jack hammering and chiseling the finer features. We could see all the tools of the trade laid out in the studio. In detail, the ranger explains how each tool was used.
Hike the Presidential Trail
To get a closer look at the sculpted faces, we walked through ponderosa pine forest. There are 422 steps along the 0.6-mile looping path. A series of interpretive signs provided a history of each president. Plenty of stairs, so it may be more difficult for those with mobility issues. There is a wheelchair access if you go clockwise that skips the stairways. There are some amazing close-up views of the sculpture from the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It is an enjoyable walk early in the morning.
Remember: Bring lots of water – it gets hot in the summer
Carver’s Cafe
We got to Mt Rushmore early and had breakfast at Carvers café. You get a large portion of food a complete breakfast for a reasonable price. Sitting in front of the beautiful stone fireplace looking out at the memorial is priceless. The coffee bar serves a variety of hot/cold beverages, with plenty of seating.
I would suggest before leaving, to stop by the Memorial Ice Cream shop for a taste of history with Thomas Jefferson ice cream. It is a bit pricy, over $7, but you get two huge scoops. It was delicious!
Attend an Evening Lighting Ceremony
In the summer, from late May to September 30, enjoy the Evening Lighting Show. It is super impressive. The evening program begins at 9:00 pm. Programming comprises a 10-minute ranger talk, with a recognition ceremony for veterans and active duty military. The playing of the national anthem, and honoring of our nation’s veterans, includes a flag folding and lighting the sculpture with a white light. Every year for Independence Day, the memorial puts on a spectacular fireworks display.
For a fantastic side view of George Washington, stop at the profile turnout on Highway 244. A two-minute drive just west outside the park. It is a one-of-a-kind view.
Final Thoughts on Mount Rushmore National Monument
Mount Rushmore is one of those truly iconic American sites. It should be on your bucket list if it isn’t already! An absolutely stunning sight. Still, I can smell the pine scent as if I were walking through the forest. You can never forget the experience of seeing the memorial in person. It gives you a strong sense of patriotism. A great way to spend a part of your day in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Easily combine a day at Rushmore with side trips to Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Jewel or Wind Cave.
Have you been to Mount Rushmore? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
