Many people visit South Dakota so they can see the many monuments and memorials in the state. One of the memorials that many people visit is the Crazy Horse Memorial. However, what is the Crazy Horse Memorial?
Located in Custer, South Dakota, the Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving. It is made of pegmatite granite and designed by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. It was made in honor of the Lakota chief, Crazy Horse. The elevation of the mountain is 6,532 feet above sea level and is the 27th-highest mountain in South Dakota. The memorial is currently unfinished.
When I visited the Crazy Horse Memorial, I was pleasantly surprised. Keep reading to learn more about my experience at this memorial and what you should do while visiting it.
The Crazy Horse Memorial was the vision of two men: Korczak Ziolkowski (pronounced kor-chuk zil-cuff-ski), and the Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear.
Korczak Ziolkowski was born in Boston of Polish descent and orphaned at age one. He started learning woodworking and furniture making at a young age and went on to the art of sculpture. He worked on many famous sculptures (including Mount Rushmore) and won first prize at the New York Worlds Fair.
Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote to Ziolkowski appealing to him to create a memorial for the American Indians of North America. He wrote, “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes also.”
After WWII, Ziolkowski accepted Chief Standing Bear’s invitation and dedicated the rest of his life to the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Upon Ziolkowski’s death, Ruth Ziolkowski took over the project and kept the dream alive by fund-raising and hiring workers. Without her perseverance, the project may have ended in failure.
Ruth died in 2014, and the family still owns and manages the memorial. They pay honor not only to Crazy Horse but to the Ziolkowskis with their slogan “Never Forget Your Dreams.”
Downloadable Quick Start Trip Planner included!
Crazy Horse was an Oglala Lakota warrior born in 1840. In 1876 he led a band of Lakota warriors against Custer’s Seventh U.S. Cavalry battalion. This is known as the Battle of Little Bighorn or Custer’s Last Stand.
Custer, 9 officers, 280 enlisted men, and 32 Indians perished that day. Crazy Horse was attributed to stopping reinforcements from arriving.
In 1877, a translator incorrectly translated what Crazy Horse said in negotiations with U.S. military leaders. As he was escorted to jail and realized he would be imprisoned he struggled to escape and drew a knife to free himself. An infantry guard struck him with a bayonet, mortally wounding him.
Something I found really interesting in my research of Crazy Horse is that he refused to have his picture taken or even a likeness. He assumed that part of his soul would be taken and his life would be shortened.
Because of this, the likeness of Crazy Horse used by Ziolkowski was from descriptions from survivors of the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Crazy Horse is located in Crazy Horse, South Dakota at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs. The entrance is along US Highway 16/385 (the Crazy Horse Memorial Highway) and is just 4 miles north of Custer. It is 9 miles south of Hill City and 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore’s National Memorial.
You can see the monument from the road as well as the signs for Avenue of the Chiefs right off the highway. You can’t miss it!
Don’t miss: 13 Awesome Things To Do In Hill City, South Dakota.
We spent about two and a half hours but you can easily spend much longer if you have the time. I would give yourself a 3-4 hour window to be on the safe side so you don’t feel rushed.
The fee structure is a little weird.
The cost depends on how many people you have in your vehicle. Fees are roughly $15 per person but decrease with more people in the car and level off at 3 people.
There is no parking fee nor are there any fees to get into the museum and exhibits.
Please check the Crazy Horse Memorial website for more accurate and up-to-date pricing as it’s subject to change each new season.
These two areas offer a vast display of art and exhibits featuring Native American history and culture from over 300 Native Nations. You will also find two theaters and a wonderful gift shop to purchase souvenirs and handmade gifts from locals.
The Indian Museum of North America is where we spent the bulk of our time wandering around. Make sure to take a look at “The Promise” painting above the information desk. This painting features Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear.
The lobby was rebuilt in 2002-2003. This is the oldest part of the Crazy Horse visitor complex.
Here you can pick up a rock from the Crazy Horse mountain as a souvenir and view the lighted exhibit showing the carving of the mountain and its progression in the 1990s.
New exhibits are expected to be added later on as well.
The gallery has a lot of historical information and features the tools Korczak used in carving the mountain in earlier years.
You will also find models and interactive displays that I thought were really informative and give you a good sense of the size that the memorial will be when finished as well as comparisons to its size now.
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.
This center provides educational opportunities and hands-on activities for guests. Native artists spend time in the summer peak season to share their creativity and interact with guests. You can purchase some of their art on-site.
Both times I visited the Cultural Center it was off-season so I have yet to see this firsthand.
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.
Don’t miss: Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony: My Personal Experience and Helpful Tips
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.
I ordered the Native American Taco and the portion was huge and it was delicious. I also tried South Dakota’s official state dessert, “Kuchen,” which is a German dough pie made with custard and different fruits. I thought it was tasty but not my cup of tea.
If you want a quick snack instead of a full sit-down meal you can grab that here.
Yes! You have two options:
First, you can take a bus to the base of the mountain for a closer view. This is ~$5 per person and the driver will tell you stories while driving. You’ll get out at the base of the memorial for a closer look and more interpretation. I HIGHLY recommend this to get more out of your visit.
Second, you can take a guided van ride to the top of the mountain for ~$125 per person. This price seems extremely steep to me, no pun intended!
Yes, you can bring your pets with some restrictions:
Yes, you can go to the to of the Crazy Horse Memorial! But there are some things you need to know.
You can hike up to the top of the mountain twice a year during the Volksmarch event. You can read my article Walking to the Top of Crazy Horse for all of the information you would need to know. It’s definitely an experience and if you are planning a visit in spring or fall then you should consider it!
Outside of the Volksmarch, your only option is to take a guided van ride for ~$125. This is a non-refundable gift and I would recommend doing the Volksmarch instead.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is open every day except Christmas Day.
Hours vary seasonally, so check for current hours prior to your visit.
Find out: Does Mount Rushmore Have A Campground? (Best Campgrounds When Visiting).
The view is great year-round but try to avoid a day when the mountain could be obstructed by fog or clouds.
If you would rather avoid crowds then I would suggest visiting between September and May but pay attention to the Volksmarch dates because it draws thousands of visitors.
If you don’t want to eat at the Laughing Water Restaurant inside Crazy Horse, there are plenty of options nearby.
Your best bet is to head to Custer, SD, only a few minutes south of Crazy Horse. It has many restaurants, such as Skogen Kitchen, Calamity Jane’s, and Dakota Broasted.
For a complete list of places to eat in the area, see our article about the best places to eat in each city of the Black Hills.
Nearby in Hill City is a delicious restaurant, the Alpine Inn.
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 14 Great Things To Do When Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial for more.
You can visit both in one day! Let us show you how in our article Can You Do Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore in One Day?
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.
Learn about the Custer Buffalo Roundup, held the same weekend as the Volksmarch.
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.
Read my review all about the scenic 1880 train ride.
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.
Learn about Things You Can’t Miss on Your Visit to Spearfish Canyon, SD.
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
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
Receive weekly newsletters updating you on the Best of the West including: essential travel tips, park updates, stories, and our favorite things to see and do.
