There’s more to Mount Rushmore than just great faces blasted into a mountain. Not that, that isn’t cool enough, but there is much more to experience at Mount Rushmore that you don’t want to miss out on.
Giving yourself ample time to visit the memorial is a must and whether you are just passing through and cramming in multiple activities per day or have an entire day booked out exclusively for Mount Rushmore, I can help you plan it all!
With all of this being said, I’ve been to Mount Rushmore more times than I can count. Literally! So, keep reading below and I will give a brief summary of each thing there is to do. This will help you navigate your trip and ensure you don’t miss out on anything!
Tip: After parking and when you get to the entrance, take a moment to use the clean restroom facilities if anyone in your party needs to, and also prepay for parking so you don’t forget to do it on your way out.
One of the first things that will grab your attention (aside from the awe-inspiring presidents’ faces) is the Avenue of Flags. This is a spine-tingling walkway of all 50 state flags and U.S. territories in alphabetical order. These flags frame your view of the monument. You will walk between them as you approach the Grand View Terrace. Here is where you will start taking many of your photos if you haven’t already.
BONUS: An area for First Amendment activities is available on the walkway leading up to the Avenue of Flags. All sorts of religions and groups are able to share their message with people visiting each day. This is the sort of thing I usually avoid, but this is done in a tasteful manner and it’s cool that the freedom of speech is something America values. It’s a great part of the Mt Rushmore experience.
DOUBLE BONUS: Audio tours are available at the first building to the right as you check-in. They are only $6 and well worth it. We especially loved that it included a map with numbers of when you are supposed to listen to each segment. It was also great that you had the option to dive deeper by getting additional stories on your favorite segments. The stories about Gutzon Borglum, the main carver of Mt Rushmore, were awesome!
This is the spot where everyone gathers to take those classic photos in front of Mount Rushmore. Crowds can be both a hindrance and a blessing here. The upside is that there’s always someone available to take a picture of your entire family. Just ensure they get the faces in the shot!
This museum is a place where you could easily spend hours. It boasts an extensive array of exhibits that demonstrate the techniques employed in the magnificent mountain carving, along with comprehensive historical information. Every time I visit Mount Rushmore, I find something new to look at or read. My favorite part is the banners of the presidents’ quotes.
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Included in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center is a theater that presents educational films on a 14-minute loop. There are several films available, and while they are quite engaging, the quality appears old and grainy, as they were filmed many years ago. Interestingly, this vintage quality enhances the viewing experience!
GOOD TO KNOW: They are making a new movie for this theater that will be released in 2025!
The Visitor Center includes an impressive bookstore offering a wide range of books for all ages, covering the history of the monument, the Presidents, South Dakota, and more. Additionally, a selection of postcards and unique gift items is also available.
The Black Hills has a sad history of the United and the Lakota Indians but sometimes it’s hard to get all sides of the story.
The Lakota Village at Mt Rushmore does a wonderful job of this. There are tipi’s and displays and if you are lucky, an actually member of the Lakota tribe will be there talking about their culture and beliefs.
We were lucky this was going on during our visit and we are so glad we stopped. It’s the best education we’ve received on the Plains Indians of all our travels in the West.
Some call the Presidential Trail a hike and it’s even listed as one in the all trails app. This is a loop that starts near the Grand View Terrace and takes you directly beneath the noses of the presidents and back around to the beginning. You will see the monument in many different angles as well as enter a cool cave with a view of only George Washington which I love!
The first half of this trail is accessible and in my opinion, offers some of the best views.
This hike has 422 steps involved. And when I say steps I mean stairs! This is not recommended for people with bad knees or health issues. You can opt to do only half the trail and come back the way you started and avoid the half with the stairs. The full loop is just under a mile. This is my favorite part of visiting Mount Rushmore!
Read: How Much Time Do You Need at Mount Rushmore?
The Sculptor’s Studio is another cool way to learn more about the construction of the monument and hear a quick but informative 15-minute presentation from a ranger. The walk to the studio also includes many flights of stairs and can be used as a small break during your presidential trail hike.
What’s neat about this is that there is a model of Mt Rushmore where every inch equals one foot. It is amazing to see how they measured where use dynamite and drilling to accomplish this amazing mountain carving.
The Sculptor’s Studio is free, and you can chat with a ranger after the presentation if you like. This will also offer another interesting vantage point of the memorial. You will find many different angles throughout the entire place.
During the summer months, kids are able to participate in fun activities. They can learn about Mount Rushmore and earn a certificate. All they have to do is grab a program in the Sculptor’s Studio and head out on their 30-minute adventure. This activity is free for all and adults may participate as well if they like.
The ranger talks happen at various locations throughout the memorial. The rangers call them “pop-up” talks and they each get to select their topic and presentation.
The Sculptor’s Studio is one and the Mt. Rushmore Lighting Ceremony are more formal ranger talks. These programs happen daily from June through September.
The amphitheater offers a picturesque setting to appreciate the memorial, providing a serene spot to relax in the open air, weather permitting. It serves as the venue for the evening program and various events throughout the year. On most days, it remains unoccupied, allowing visitors the freedom to wander around. It’s also a great place to let your children run around and expel any pent-up energy if the Presidential Trail hasn’t done that already.
The Lighting Ceremony was something I finally did my second summer in the Black Hills and it was one of my favorite visits. May through September, they hold a ceremony in the amphitheater. They show a film highlighting the making of the monument and have a flag-lowering ceremony, featuring veterans from the audience. Then in a beautiful conclusion, they light up the monument.
If you can fit this into your agenda, it’s a must-see. I’ve heard people say arrive early, but I’ve never had a problem getting a seat. I have however been rained on during it in mid-summer so be prepared for inclement weather as the show will still go on! Read more about my experience at the Evening Lighting Ceremony.
Before leaving the memorial you have to stop at Memorial Team Ice Cream and grab a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This flavor is Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe from 1780. It’s something everyone has to try even though I think it tastes just like vanilla ice cream (which is yummy). I’ve heard friends and family rave that it’s extra delicious. You be the judge!
In case you are wondering why I put the dessert before the meal it’s because I think the ice cream supersedes the meal in this case! Keep in mind that the hours here are going to be roughly between 11 am and 4:30 pm most of the year. Hours are usually longer in the summer season.
If you were planning on having lunch or dinner while visiting, you could grab a buffalo burger or any of the other items in the cafeteria-style restaurant, Carver’s Cafe. I thought the food here was just ok but for the price and ambiance, it’s very reasonable. You can even sit outside and enjoy your meal looking at George, Thomas, Theodore, and Abe! Just be prepared to wait in long lines on busy days.
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Do not pass up the opportunity to visit this enormous gift shop; it’s the perfect place to pick up a whimsical and reasonably priced t-shirt or hoodie! Offering an array of items from Christmas decorations to sweets, it has souvenirs that will please anyone. On our initial visit, we erred in assuming that we could find less expensive t-shirts in the town of Keystone. Although we found some, they did not match the quality of those in the gift shop, and the designs we favored were unique to that location. If you find one you like, don’t hesitate to purchase it!
Mount Rushmore is open 7 days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas Day. In inclement weather, the only thing open is the parking structure and the grounds.
| Mount Rushmore Hours | |
| November 1 through March 9 | 7:00 am to 9:00 pm |
| March 10 through September 30 | 5:00 am to 11:00 pm |
| October 1 through October 30 | 5:00 am to 11:00 pm |
Times are subject to change. Before your visit, check Mount Rushmore’s official webpage for current information.
Mount Rushmore is completely free except for parking, food, and souvenirs.
Parking is about $10 per vehicle including cars, motorcycles, and RV’s, and $5 for seniors. Active military is free.
Rapid City Airport is the closest airport to Keystone, South Dakota which is where Mount Rushmore is located. Just 31.5 miles away but will take about 45 minutes depending on the weather.
Downloadable Quick Start Trip Planner included!
South Dakota weather can be very unpredictable, but I will try to give you an idea of what to expect during our different seasons. I suggest still checking the weather before packing for your trip and be ready for anything!
Ranging between November and March can be considered our winter months. We may have nice weather in the 60’s or extreme cold in the negative teens. We can have lots and lots of wind and snow or just dry and cold. Rarely is rain seen during these months and the roads and walkways may have ice.
April, May, and occasionally June, herald the arrival of spring weather. Our spring, beginning in April, may still present snow-covered grounds and extreme cold. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for May and June to experience snowfall as well. Typically, our springs are characterized by abundant rain and frequent thunderstorms. These storms often bring high humidity, strong winds, and sizable hail, ranging from pea-sized to as large as a softball. It’s crucial to heed thunderstorm warnings seriously, as we have also experienced the occasional tornado.
Even with the crazy weather, I do believe spring is my favorite time of year!
June, July, and August typically mark the summer months. These can vary from beautifully sunny days to extremely hot and dry ones or even wet and rainy days with afternoon storms leading to local flooding. I adore our summers; they tend to be quite mild and cool down during the evenings and early mornings.
Welcome to my second favorite time of year in the Black Hills. September and October, and perhaps some of November, are among the most beautiful times in the Black Hills. The fall colors and landscape are stunning, and the weather is usually quite pleasant. An occasional shower or even an early snowfall may occur as the temperatures start to drop.
I prefer visiting the memorial in the summer, enjoying the peak season activities, the pleasant weather, and the nightly lighting ceremony. The presence of crowds doesn’t bother me; in fact, I relish the hustle and bustle atmosphere they bring. Moreover, the crowds during this period are not as overwhelming as they are on weekends or holidays.
If you don’t like crowds or heat then you may want to visit in the off-season. Spring and fall are great too and less trafficked. The monument still looks beautiful all year round, it’s just the activities mentioned in this article that will be affected. For more helpful information about the best time to visit Mount Rushmore, check out our article When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Rushmore?
Final Tip: remember to catch a glimpse of George Washington’s profile on your way up. There are two routes to the monument, each offering its own unique and rewarding views. It’s hard to choose a favorite since both are equally spectacular, so why not experience them both?
Mount Rushmore 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, yet 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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