what is the best time to go to mount rushmore?
Are you visiting Mountain Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota and are wondering what to expect? Looking for data on what to encounter and do at Mt. Rushmore, where to stay, and how much time you need? Or maybe you are planning a trip to the Black Hills and Badlands surface area and are looking for ideas for things to do near Mountain Rushmore? This commodity should answer all your questions!
Our invitee writer Jen from Travel With A Plan visited Mt. Rushmore with her family unit and wrote this very comprehensive guide to the area.
Whether yous are looking for inspiration or practical data for your visit to Mount Rushmore or places to visit nearby, this article should answer all your questions. Observe out!
Visiting Mount Rushmore
A national treasure in the U.s., Mount Rushmore National Memorial symbolizes the ideals of freedom and Democracy. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore features the sixty-human foot high faces of iv Us presidents intricately carved out of a granite mountainside.
Located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is often considered a rite of passage to see in one's lifetime. Drawing in more than 3 1000000 tourists per year, visitors from effectually the earth travel hither to take in the monumental views of this patriotic site.
Beneath you can notice my tips on visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial and things to practise in the breathtaking surface area nearby. Read on!
Things to Practise at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Along with admiring the enormous sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, at that place are many activities available to immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
Here is a short summary of what you can expect to see and do when visiting Mountain Rushmore.
ane. Stroll the Avenue of Flags
The Avenue of the Flags is the main pathway to the Mt Rushmore memorial. Here, guests are greeted by a walkway flanked on both sides by the flags of all l states and territories of the U.s..
Arranged in alphabetical society, the names of each state, district, commonwealth, and territory are listed on the pillars direct below each flag.
This impressive scene is both centre-catching and welcoming, equally it looks equally if the 56 flags are waving guests into the memorial.
2. Enjoy the Monument from Chiliad View Terrace
The Avenue of the Flags is the pathway that leads to Grand View Terrace. Grand View Terrace is the primary platform where visitors take a articulate view of the gigantic Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
The unobstructed views from this platform provide the classic visuals of the monument that most tourists are familiar with.
Be sure to accept advantage of using the complimentary telescopes located here, as well as take enough of iconic photographs and selfies.
iii. Visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Middle
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Centre, Museum, Theater & Bookstore is located below the Grand View Terrace. This free visitor heart offers interactive museum exhibits, a 14-minute film, and an information desk staffed by park rangers.
I recommend spending time here in gild to truly appreciate the history and construction of Mountain Rushmore.
Past watching Mount Rushmore: The Shrine, visitors gain a true agreement of the immense amount of detail and piece of work that it took to carve the faces of these iv former U.S. Presidents.
Likewise, the Exhibit Hall provides teaching on the sculptor and his workers, and even contains some of the original tools used for the carving.
4. Walk the Presidential Trail
The Presidential Trail is a paved half-mile observation loop that begins at Thousand View Terrace and leads to viewing areas at the base of the mountain.
This family unit-friendly trail is a serial of steps and vantage platforms that provide a closer view of the sculptures. Its winding walkways also give visitors a chance to get away from the crowds on the terrace.
The Presidential Trail is a paved surface that is suitable for both, wheelchairs and strollers. Plan to spend twoscore minutes walking the Presidential Trail loop as it also includes a nature trail full of interesting wildlife, plants, and stones.
five. Join a Guided Bout
During the summer months, free ranger-led programs and guided walks are held each 24-hour interval at various locations throughout the memorial. Ranger Talks last thirty minutes and cover a variety of natural, cultural, and historical topics.
Rent an audio tour wand or multimedia device that features music, interviews, and audio furnishings that narrate your way around the park.
These are available at the Audio Tour Edifice across from the Information Center for $half dozen in English, French, German, Lakota, and Spanish.
half dozen. Consummate the Junior Ranger Program
Mountain Rushmore's Junior Ranger Plan was designed to brainwash children on the importance of preserving and protecting national treasures. Likewise, they help teach virtually nature and history while encouraging kids to have fun exploring the outdoors.
Children aged 3 and up who want to participate can option upwardly a free age-specific Junior Ranger activity volume at the Visitor Center.
Upon returning a completed activity parcel to the Company Center, children are awarded a Junior Ranger Badge and certificate.
7. Sample Historic Ice Cream
Make a point to take hold of a taste of history at the Memorial Team Ice Cream Station.
Named in honor of the 1939 baseball team formed of Mount Rushmore carvers, Memorial Team Ice Cream features ice foam, snacks, fountain drinks, and specialty floats.
Favorites here include the popular soft-serve or hand-dipped "Awe-inspiring Scoop" and "TJ's" vanilla ice cream. Locally produced by a pocket-sized dairy farm, TJ's ice foam is based on Thomas Jefferson's original recipe from 1780.
eight. Dine at Carver's Marketplace
Open from 8:00 AM-9:00 PM, Carvers Marketplace is Mountain Rushmore's only onsite restaurant.
With a perfect view of Mountain Rushmore, many guests visit the cafe early in the morning for a hearty breakfast while watching a sunrise backside the sculpture.
Known for its locally sourced menu options such equally bison burgers and bison stew, ample seating both indoors and exterior on the patio can easily accommodate mealtime crowds.
9. Evening Sculpture Lighting Anniversary
From late May to belatedly September, Mount Rushmore National Memorial holds a special program each evening at 9:00 PM to calorie-free the sculpture.
This program consists of a cursory ranger talk and the "Freedom: America's Lasting Legacy" moving picture. Information technology concludes with the lighting of the sculpture every bit the audition sings the National Anthem.
The entire ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes. Similar to all other programs hither, information technology is free and yous do not need a reservation to attend. Please note that from October to April the sculpture is illuminated at dusk without a formal plan.
Further below, you tin notice our selection of the best things to do near Mountain Rushmore. But first – some practical information for your visit.
How to Get to Mount Rushmore
Somewhat off of the beaten path, Mountain Rushmore is located in a rugged, rural area of South Dakota. A pop road trip destination for those living in the U.S., most visitors go far hither by personal vehicle.
For those traveling from further distances, the closest drome is Rapid Metropolis Regional Airdrome. It's located 35 miles (56 km) from the memorial. From Rapid Urban center, you tin can either rent a car, bring together a guided mean solar day tour, or hire a private tour visitor. The same guided tour is also bachelor via the GetYourGuide website and (at the moment of the last update) is a bit cheaper than on Viator.
Upon arrival, you will detect that Mountain Rushmore National Memorial has several parking structures to adjust its large number of visitors.
Though Mount Rushmore remains one of the few popular parks that has managed to avert an entrance fee, at that place is a parking fee here.
When Is the All-time Time to Visit Mt Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open year-round, except on December 25th, when information technology'due south airtight for Christmas.
Mt Rushmore National Memorial is a popular destination for families, so the busiest time to travel here is during the summer months of June, July, and August. It is and so that schoolhouse is out of session and the weather condition is the warmest.
Despite crowds being at their tiptop during this time, y'all should know that the park is still very doable when it is busy.
Though temperatures volition be much cooler, jump and fall are 2 other great times to visit the Black Hills region. Forth with fewer crowds, the spring and fall months characteristic seasonal multi-colored trees and plants that are unique to this surface area.
Practical Tips for Visiting Mount Rushmore
Fix to plan your trip? Hither is a recap of things to remember when planning your visit.
- Mount Rushmore is located 35 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota.
- There is no archway fee to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, but you lot have to pay for parking.
- The Mount Rushmore parking structure and memorial grounds are open from v:00 AM to eleven:00 PM. The Company Center is open at viii:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM.
- Plan on at to the lowest degree ii-4 hours to explore all that Mount Rushmore has to offering.
- Mount Rushmore does not accept overnight accommodations onsite.
Things to Do About Mount Rushmore
Since visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial itself doesn't require more than one-half a 24-hour interval, many people wonder what other interesting places there are to see and things to do in the Black Hills.
Beneath you can find some ideas for fun things to do and the best places to visit near Mount Rushmore. At the bottom of this article, you can also find some itinerary suggestions for what to practice most Mount Rushmore in ane, two, 3 days. Read on!
Just first, here are some of the best things to practise almost Mount Rushmore:
Custer State Park
No trip to the Black Hills would exist consummate without a visit to Custer Land Park. Custer has been named one of the Earth's Top 10 Wild fauna Destinations and is 1 of the few truly wild places that remain in the United states of america.
Home to a famous herd of 1,400 complimentary-roaming bison, the park is known for its majestic wild fauna, awe-inspiring scenery, and prairie dog towns.
TIP: Utilize this helpful park map to customize your family's chance throughout this wild fauna oasis.
- 14 miles from Mountain Rushmore
- Minimum time needed: one-2 hours
LEARN MORE: Things to Exercise in Custer State Park
Needles Highway
The xiv-mile Needles Highway inside Custer Land Park is an absolutely spectacular drive through pine forests and rugged mountains. The road's name comes from the needle-like granite formations in which the highway was carved out of.
Due to its high elevation, hairpin turns, and narrow passageways, this drive can be a bit stomach-churning. Its beauty is and then captivating, however, that fifty-fifty the faint of heart are sure to appreciate it.
When making travel plans, be sure to account for the slower speed of 25 MPH that is recommended when driving Needles Highway. In improver, the highway is closed during winter months due to weather conditions and is typically simply open up April through October.
- 16 miles from Mount Rushmore
- Minimum time spent: 45-60 minutes
Wild animals Loop Road
The 18-mile Wild fauna Loop Road, besides part of Custer Land Park, takes visitors through open grasslands, reddish-walled canyons, and pine-covered hills to experience Mother Nature at her finest.
Depending on the day, you might see buffalo, bighorn sheep, elk, whitetail deer, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, and hawks. Chances to see wildlife are ever higher early on in the morning or late in the afternoon, at dusk.
At the Loop Road'due south southeastern tip, wild burros frequently approach car windows to 'beg' for treats. Similarly, travelers volition experience 'wildlife jams' every bit some of the parks one,400 roaming buffalo clog upwardly the roadway.
- xx miles from Mount Rushmore
- Minimum time spent: 45 minutes
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial is ready to be the world's largest mount carving and has been nether construction since 1948. Considered the '8th Wonder of the Earth in progress', Crazy Horse attracts 1.5 million visitors a yr who seek to scout history being made.
Although it'south open as a site for tourists and currently features the completed 87-foot-alpine head of Crazy Horse, it'south far from finished. When completed this Oglala Lakota Native American warrior is projected to exist 641 feet wide and 563 anxiety tall (while the heads of the presidents at Mountain Rushmore are simply sixty-feet high).
The Crazy Horse Memorial campus features an on-site eatery, souvenir shop, Indian Museum, and Native American Educational and Cultural Center. Admission rates are based on the number of passengers per private vehicle.
- 15 miles from Mountain Rushmore
- Time spent: ane-ii hours
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park consists of a big area of colorful sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles, along with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the Us. Some parts of the park remind a bit of Bryce Catechism, the others – of Grand Coulee or Yellowstone NP… It'south a very unique mix of incredible landscapes…
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world to view its dramatic layered rock formations and steep canyons.
From camping and hiking to auto-touring and route-side observation areas, visitors to Badlands National Park are guaranteed endless outdoor adventures.
- 84 miles from Mount Rushmore
- Minimum time: 1.v-ii.5 hours. Merely you can easily spend a day here.
Wind Cavern National Park
The sixth-longest cave in the entire globe, Current of air Cave is located just a short drive from Mountain Rushmore. With its majestic boxwork cave formations and bordering acres of mixed-grass prairies, Wind Cave is the first cave in the world to be designated as a National Park.
Ranger-guided tours of Wind Cave run the whole year-round. Tickets are very popular and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So be sure to plan ahead during peak summer months, because it's not unusual that you'll have to await quite a while to get in.
Though at that place are no fees to drive through or hike in the park, at that place are fees associated with visiting the cave. Yous tin can find pricing, bout data, and important things to consider before taking a cavern tour here.
- 40 miles from Mountain Rushmore
- Time needed: 2 hours
Rushmore Tramway Adventures
If yous are visiting Mt Rushmore with kids, you may want to check out Rushmore Tramway Adventures (RTA). Located in Keystone, just 2,5 miles from Mt Rushmore National Memorial, this adventure park offers a variety of amazing family-friendly attractions.
RTA has something for everyone: an aerial adventure park, an alpine slide, a bound tower, a tubing hill, a zipline tour, and a scenic chairlift.
Practical information: Opening hours vary a bit per season, but in general the adventure park is open up on weekends in May and September and daily in June, July, and August. Please annotation that the park is simply open up weather-permitting.
- 2,v miles from Mount Rushmore
- Minimum time needed: one-2 hours
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Spearfish Coulee is a deep, but narrow gorge carved by the Spearfish River. The 21-mile long Spearfish Coulee Scenic Byway winds information technology fashion through the thousand-ft deep canyon and allows visitors a pristine view of multiple natural wonders.
Rock climbing, biking, hiking, and fishing are simply a few of the activities that tin be done throughout Spearfish Canyon. Our favorite experiences were the up-close-and-personal encounters with the cute waterfalls in the area.
Conjugal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls are all well worth the short walks to become to from the byway.
- 60 miles from Mount Rushmore
- Time spent: two hours
The Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site is not to exist missed in the Black Hills! More than than 26,000 years ago, dozens of woolly mammoths and other animals were trapped and died in a swimming, which is now Hot Springs, SD. The site was discovered during digging for housing development and is at present preserved equally an agile dig site and public museum.
Mammoth Site Museum is fascinating and definitely worth seeing. There are hands-on dig experiences for children and knowledgeable guides that provide a fun and educational feel for the entire family.
General admission for Mammoth Site Museum is around $x for adults, $seven for kids ages 4-12, and children 3 and under are gratuitous. More info here.
- 57 miles from Mount Rushmore
- Fourth dimension spent: 1-2 hours
Mt Rushmore & Blackness Hills Itinerary Suggestions
Because of the large number of things to run across and practice near Mount Rushmore, equally well equally how spread out nearly places are, nosotros recommend at to the lowest degree 4 days in the Black Hills. Just for clarity, the Black Hills is a nickname used to refer to the entire area around Mountain Rushmore and all the attractions that are mentioned in this post.
If you have the luxury of having more than time, yous can easily spend up to x days in the Black Hills and you lot will not run out of things to do, peculiarly if you enjoy hiking.
Still, not everyone has a lot of time, and ofttimes visiting Mount Rushmore is the primary reason for people to visit this surface area. To make your trip planning easier, I accept some suggestions on how to best plan your time if y'all accept merely ane to three days nigh Mount Rushmore. Take a look!
1 Twenty-four hours in the Black Hills
If you only take 1 day in the Black Hills, I propose visiting Mountain Rushmore first thing in the morning, before crowds build. You and then have three options on how to spend the residuum of the day in the area.
The offset option is to visit Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park, which includes Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway.
The second choice – ideal for families – is to spend the afternoon at the Rushmore Tramway Adventures run a risk park.
Alternatively, you can opt to visit Wind Cavern National Park and The Mammoth Site.
TIP: If you have merely i day in the surface area and don't know where to showtime, consider joining this highly-rated Mt Rushmore day tour from Rapid Urban center. It likewise covers Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
2 Days in the Blackness Hills
If you have ii days in the Blackness Hills, visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer Country Park on the beginning day.
You can then spend the second day visiting Wind Cavern National Park, Mammoth Site Museum, and Rapid Metropolis. RTA is as well a great option, especially for families with kids.
Alternatively, visit the Badlands National Park. There is a Visitor Center, several long and short hikes, and multiple scenic overlooks. Yous can spend just a few hours hither, merely the Badlands tin can take upwardly to the whole 24-hour interval also. It really depends on what you want to see and do there.
Black Hills 3 Day Itinerary
If you have three days in the Black Hills, you lot can practise everything mentioned in the 1 and ii-day itineraries above. So, your itinerary could look like this:
- Twenty-four hour period 1: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer Country Park.
- Day 2: Wind Cave National Park, Mammoth Site Museum, and Rapid City or RTA.
- Day 3: Badlands National Park.
TIP: If you are looking for fifty-fifty more ideas for your Black Hills vacation, here you can notice a more than detailed Blackness Hills itinerary for 4 days.
TIP: If yous are visiting Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills and are looking for more than detailed data, I recommend yous also check this highly-rated Mount Rushmore, the Blackness Hills, and the Badlands guidebook.
Where to Stay – Lodging Near Mt Rushmore
As you lot can see from the suggested itineraries, it's all-time to spend a few days exploring the Mount Rushmore expanse. Yous'll need at to the lowest degree iii days in order to have time to experience merely the main attractions of the Blackness Hills.
Whether yous are searching for the best friction match for your experience or your budget, dozens of lodging options are bachelor in the cities and towns surrounding Mount Rushmore. Simply what are the best places to stay for visiting Mt Rushmore?
Staying in a local customs such as Keystone, Custer, Hill City, or Rapid City, will non just give y'all quick access to Mountain Rushmore but also to the many other Black Hills attractions.
Accommodations include mid-range and upkeep hotels, cabin rentals, campgrounds, tent sites, and romantic B&Bs. All tin can exist constitute within 3-25 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
TIP: If you lot want to stay equally close every bit possible to Mountain Rushmore, then check out Keystone, SD. Just 1.7 miles from Mt Rushmore National Memorial, it has a very central location for all the sights mentioned in this article.
K Bar S Club and Roosevelt Inn are highly recommended hither. For a unique experience consider 'glamping' with a view of Mount Rushmore at Nether Sheet Mountain Rushmore.
Learn More: Complete Guide to Mountain Rushmore Hotels
Compare Hotels and Short-term Rentals nigh Mt Rushmore
Using the map below, you tin can compare hotels, apartments, and short-term rental accommodations in Keystone, the closest town near Mount Rushmore.
Merely insert your travel dates and group size, and you'll see the best deals for your stay. Cheque it out!
So, this was our guide to Mt Rushmore. I want to give thanks our guest writer Jen for this smashing blog mail service most visiting Mount Rushmore and all the astonishing things to do in the Black Hills. Only reading this, makes me regret that we didn't include Mount Rushmore and the Badlands to our American route trip itinerary that started in Denver and ended in Yellowstone… The Black Hills expanse would have made the circle round!
TIP: If yous are visiting the Blackness Hills, you lot should know that it's actually like shooting fish in a barrel to combine this area with a visit to Yellowstone and the G Teton National Parks. In fact, there are guided tours from Denver that offering this type of itinerary.
About the author. Jen is an American travel writer. A planner by nature, Jen has spent the last 12 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5. She considers travel to exist an essential office of their family unit's health and wellbeing. Her web log Travel With A Plan is a compilation of the planning and execution that has gone into making family vacations efficient, enjoyable, and memorable. She is dedicated and passionate virtually sharing travel ideas, products, and experiences that are practical, and that work for families.
More Usa travel inspiration:
- Mt Rushmore area: Mountain Rushmore Hotels and Best Things to Do in Custer State Park
- Yellowstone:All-time Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
- Glacier: Glacier National Park Itinerary
- Chicago: How to See the All-time of Chicago in ii Days
- California:San Diego Itinerary
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- Utah: Best Things to Do in Moab
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