If you’re visiting Mount Rushmore you’ve probably heard about the other huge carving in the Black Hills: Crazy Horse. Did you know that you can walk to the top of the Crazy Horse Memorial?
The Crazy Horse Memorial’s Volksmarch is a bi-annual event in which anyone can walk to the face of the Crazy Horse carving. The hike is 6 miles round-trip. It is the only time the public can walk to the top of the memorial. This is an amazing way to get a feel for the massive size of Crazy Horse, which is 4 times as large as Mount Rushmore.
Living an hour away I finally got the chance to participate in and experience this wonderful tradition that brings thousands of travelers and locals to the popular monument each year.
If you’re thinking about visiting, keep on reading for all you need to know!
The Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving. It depicts the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding his horse and pointing to his tribal land. It’s located in Custer, South Dakota.
The Volksmarch is a non-competitive 6.2-mile round trip hike that rises 500 feet in elevation up to the memorial. Volksmarch is a German word meaning the people’s march.
The Volksmarch happens only TWO DAYS a year, at the beginning of June and the end of September. Check the Volksmarch official page for exact dates.
The weekend of the Volksmarch in September is the same weekend as the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. This roundup is held only once per year. Consider planning your trip around these two activities for a memorable Black Hills experience.
Hikers participating in the Volksmarch can begin their journey anytime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., with registration starting at 7 a.m. All hikers must return and be off the trail by 4 p.m.
I did this hike in the fall and enjoyed the cooler weather. I recommend starting it first thing in the morning so you can take your time and enjoy the museum and restaurant afterward.
The hike costs $3 per person (cash or check only). Hikers will also have to pay admittance to get into the Memorial. See the official Crazy Horse Memorial page for current prices. Note: hikers get a discounted admission to the Memorial, and non-hikers pay the full admission price. This is a great opportunity to see Crazy Horse and all of its exhibits for a reduced rate.
Another thing of note, there is no advance registration for the hike. Registration for the Volksmarch occurs on the day of the event. Registration tables are located in the parking lot near the starting line.
Parking is FREE. There will be several designated parking lots to park in on the day of the event. A bus will shuttle participants to and from the main parking lot.
I liked being there early. I didn’t have to park far away or wait for a shuttle.
The average time is 2-4 hours for the entire hike. It took us just under two hours and that is counting the 30 minutes we spent at the top of the monument taking pictures and enjoying the views.
Yes! There are 4 pit stop stations that not only have restrooms but also water stations and snacks for sale.
Along the route, you will find four free water stations as well as inexpensive, packaged snacks like beef sticks and granola bars for sale.
They also have some bake sale goodies. This year they were sold by a local Boy Scout troop. Bring cash and grab a quick snack to give you the energy to complete your hike!
The Volksmarch can be canceled due to extreme weather, so watch for that if you plan on attending. Another reason to check the weather is to ensure you are appropriately dressed.
Comfortable hiking/walking clothing and shoes that are weather-appropriate. I wore comfortable sneakers and ended up taking off my hoodie, halfway through the hike, as it warmed up.
Anyone can participate in the hike. We saw tons of families and people of all ages. I was actually quite impressed with how many people I saw in their 70s and above on this hike. Many had canes and/or hiking poles and were taking it very slowly but they were doing it!
Most of the hike is moderate but the last sections get your blood pumping. I will admit I stopped a couple of times to catch my breath and “take pictures.”
All of that said, it wasn’t terribly difficult and there wasn’t anything technical. Most of the trail was wide enough for many people to walk side by side. Only a few portions were single-file.
Yes! Definitely worth it! It was a great experience and something I will definitely do again. I might even make it an annual tradition. You can’t get that close to Crazy Horse any other time and you can’t grasp the magnificence of it until you get to the top and stand right next to his head and look up.
If you don’t think you can make the 6.2-mile round-trip hike, you can still participate and do a shorter portion of the hike. About halfway up the trail, there is a place to turn and head back down. You will still get plenty of great views of Crazy Horse and come across plenty of spots to take pictures.
Downloadable Quick Start Trip Planner included!
These two areas offer a vast display of art and exhibits featuring Native American history and culture. You will also find a theater and a wonderful gift shop to purchase souvenirs and handmade gifts.
The gallery has a lot of historical information as well as stories about the memorial. You will also find models and interactive displays that are really cool to see.
This is the original home of sculptor Korczak and his wife Ruth. It was built in 1962. This was a really cool exhibit to walk around, seeing all the unique antiques Korczak collected as well as the original pieces he created himself.
Many performers and storytellers perform on the veranda or covered porch if the weather permits. They perform daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.
Reservations are not needed at the Laughing Water Restaurant. The restaurant is large and can seat many people. You can try a Native American Taco or some Tatanka stew while enjoying the view of the Crazy Horse Monument.
If you want a quick snack instead of a full sit-down meal you can grab that here.
Knowing that the Volksmarch draws nearly 10,000 people annually, we made sure to get there first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. We also wanted to start hiking before it got too warm. This worked out just how we imagined.
The hike was exciting and beautiful. The fall colors had already begun emerging and the energy of the hikers was infectious.
There were so many picture opportunities along the way. Every now and then, we would see Crazy Horse peeking out from behind the trees.
The four stations along the route made the hike go by faster because they broke it up. We appreciated the workers offering us ice-cold water and stamping our “volkssport” card.
Getting to the top was the most difficult part of the hike. It was a gradual incline that went on for seemingly forever but was well worth it. I didn’t realize how amazed I would be standing next to and touching the face of Crazy Horse.
Walking around the top was surreal. Everyone had their cameras out taking selfies and videos. You could walk all the way down the arm, stand at the hand of Crazy Horse, and take in a 365-degree view of the valley.
If you wanted a bit more adventure you could wait in line and walk down some scaffolding. This provided hikers an opportunity to look at what the sculptures are currently working on as well as see some of the tools they use to chisel away at the rock.
The return trip was much faster and easier. The hike up to Crazy Horse is longer and the hike back is shorter and more straightforward. It really didn’t feel like 6 miles to us. I heard others saying the same thing.
Upon finishing the hike we walked to the museum and gift shop before heading into the adorable town of Custer. Custer is one of my favorite places in The Black Hills. We went to grab a coffee at Calamity Jane’s Coffee Shop before calling it a day!
There are so many great things to do near the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Of course, you can not come to the Black Hills without seeing our national treasure, Mount Rushmore. Do not miss this extraordinary memorial of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln! Read 13 Great Things To Do When Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial for more.
One of my favorite things to do in the Black Hills is to drive through the park. Custer State Park has over 71,000 acres featuring lakes, glorious views, wildlife and so much more.
Take a ride on an original steam engine train from Hill City to Keystone and back. You can spend some time shopping, you can even grab a bite to eat while you are at it.
There is no shortage of scenic drives in the Black Hills and The Crazy Horse Memorial is just 8.4 miles away from Needles Highway where the views are unmatched. This road can also take you right into Custer State Park and to Sylvan Lake.
Crazy Horse is just one of the many amazing things to do in the Black Hills. The Black Hills can be confusing because it’s a huge area and there are so many things to do!
Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to all the best places at the right times!
But that’s not all! Our itinerary includes a free audio guide to listen to while driving, with over 2 hours of stories about the park!
BLACK HILLS TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about the Black Hills, check out our Black Hills Homepage
AREAS: The Black Hills is home to some amazing national parks and monuments: Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave National Parks, Badlands, and Crazy Horse. Plus, the amazing Custer State Park
THINGS TO DO: There is much more to do than hike and look at Mt. Rushmore. Explore the 1880 train, Reptile Gardens, slip down a natural waterslide, or go on a scenic drive
GREAT CITIES TO STAY OR CHECK OUT: Explore some amazing mountain towns including Deadwood, Keystone, Hill City, and Rapid City
GET QUIRKY: Want something REALLY different? Check out Devil’s Tower and Wall Drug
WHERE TO EAT: Check out the best places to eat in and around Mt. Rushmore plus where to eat in each city
WATCH: Enjoy videos of the amazing Black Hills while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Black Hills YouTube Playlist
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