Mount Rushmore's four 60-foot presidential faces — Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln, carved directly into the granite of South Dakota's Black Hills — are one of the most recognizable monuments in America. But the memorial itself is really just the starting point for a Black Hills trip packed with scenery and history.
Top Things to Do at Mount Rushmore
The Grand View Terrace offers the classic head-on photo of the memorial, and the Presidential Trail, a half-mile boardwalk and stair loop, gets you much closer to the base of the sculpture for a different perspective. Stick around for the evening lighting ceremony in summer, when the faces are illuminated after a ranger program — one of the most memorable ways to see the memorial.
A short drive away, the Crazy Horse Memorial is an even larger mountain carving still in progress, honoring the Lakota leader, with a museum and cultural center on-site. Custer State Park, nearby, is home to a free-roaming bison herd and the scenic Needles Highway, while Rapid City makes a convenient home base for exploring the whole Black Hills region.
What to Pack for Mount Rushmore
Black Hills weather swings from hot summer days to cool evenings, especially if you're staying for the lighting ceremony. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack is a solid choice for a day that includes both the memorial and a Black Hills scenic drive, and the VacationGrabs Leather Duffel works well for a multi-stop South Dakota road trip.
Book Mount Rushmore Tours and Experiences
Black Hills scenic tours, Crazy Horse Memorial combo tours, and Custer State Park wildlife loops are among the best ways to experience the area. Browse Mount Rushmore tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
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