If I’m being completely honest, Mount Rushmore was not high on my list of places to visit on my road trip West. I knew it wasn’t dog friendly and anytime that I bring Loki & Freya with me, they tend to dictate what I do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely ok with that, but it does throw a wrench into certain destinations. At the last minute my friend and favorite road trip partner, Rose, joined Loki, Freya, and I on our road trip West. And Mount Rushmore was at the very top of her list. I have to say, that I am glad that I ended up seeing Mount Rushmore at least once! So, if you’re wondering if this national treasure is worth a visit, I’ve got you! Should you visit Mount Rushmore? find out…
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The Basics: Mount Rushmore
Getting To Mount Rushmore –
13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
- Mount Rushmore is located in Keystone, South Dakota.
- 30 minutes from Rapid City, you will take Route 16 from Rapid City To Mount Rushmore through Black Hills National Forest. It’s the way that I went and it is a really scenic drive!
- 40 minutes from Custer State Park, you will take 16A through Black Hills National Forest, it’s also an incredibly beautiful drive.
Hours (remember South Dakota is on Mountain Time) –
Parking structure and memorial grounds: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.- Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sculptor’s Studio: Closed for the season.
- Sculpture Illumination: Sunset to 9:00 p.m.
- Gift Shop: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Carvers’ Café: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost –
- Cars, Motorcycles, and RVs: $10 per vehicle, $5 for Seniors, Free for Active Duty Military
- Commercial Tour Bus – $50
- Non-Profit Educational Bus – $25
How Far Do You Have To Walk To See Mount Rushmore? –
Mount Rushmore is very accessible and the walking is pretty minimal to get from the parking garage to Grand View Terrace.
Know Before You Go: Mount Rushmore Edition
- Be prepared because Mount Rushmore is insanely busy, ALL the time. This place hosts approximately 3 million visitors a year.
- There are no reservations necessary to visit Mount Rushmore.
- There is no public wifi and the cell signal is spotty.
- Traffic back-ups sometimes occur at the entrance to the parking garage, where the large volume of vehicles passing through the gates can cause congestion.
- Leashed pets are allowed in the parking garages and the areas adjacent to them. Please pick up after your pet with bags that are provided in the pet exercise areas.
- Service Dogs are the exception to this rule and are allowed everywhere.
- I wouldn’t plan on more than a few days max at Mount Rushmore.
For more information on visiting Mount Rushmore click here.
Is Mount Rushmore Worth The Trip?
In short, yes! It’s something I think every American should see at least once in their lifetime. Will I visit again? Probably only if I’m traveling with someone who really wants to see Mount Rushmore. But it is pretty cool to see in person and I’m glad I got to see it.
9 Fun Things To Do At Mount Rushmore
1. Take In The Avenue Of Flags
Take a stroll down the Avenue Of Flags the grand entrance to Mount Rushmore. Each state is represented with a flag in alphabetical order. Did you know that the Avenue of Flags was initially established as part of the celebration of the United States’ Bicentennial in 1976 at the request of a visitor? It’s pretty cool to see in person and is a very grand entrance.
2. Visit The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
Check out the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center which features two 125-seat theaters that show a 13-minute movie about Mount Rushmore. The exhibits containing 400 artifacts and more than 300 photographs, retrace the history of those who transformed the mountain into a tribute to this great nation.
3. Take In The Views Grand View Terrace
Arguably the most iconic views at Mount Rushmore can be found at Grand View Terrace above the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. It’s the viewing platform you will see while you are strolling through the Avenue Of Flags. Get iconic views of the mountain head on from this terrace/viewpoint.
4. Hike The Presidential Trail
- Distance: .06 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 39 ft
- Features: 422 stairs
There is also an option of All Trails for stair-free and only an additional .01 mile long. Find that here. This is a great little walk to get up close and personal with the mountain sculpture and keep your eyes open to get a glimpse of some of the area’s wildlife. Keep an eye out for the mountains resident goats!
5. Check Out Sculptor’s Studio Or A Guided Tour
If you head to do the Sculptor’s Studio you can listen to a 15-minute ranger talk about Gutzon Borglum, the carving process, and the lives of the workers.
Check Out: The Lakota Sioux: History Nugget
6. Get Different Perspectives And The Best Views
Everyone gets the iconic photo of Mount Rushmore from the Grand View Terrace (and you should too) but if you are looking for a different perspective then don’t miss out on…
- The Amphitheater views
- The Presidential Trail views
- Norbeck Overlook views – Norbeck Overlook is in the Black Hills National Forest. You get views of the mountain from about a mile out.
7. Don’t Skip Memorial Team Ice Cream
The shop is located right there at Mount Rushmore next to the gift shop! Loki and Freya LOVED it and so did I!
I had the pups with me on the day I visited Mount Rushmore, thankfully it was cool, and they were happy to lounge in the truck with the windows down and a big bowl of water. When I saw Memorial Team Ice Cream I knew I wanted to grab them a treat for being so good! Treat yourself (and the pups if you brought them along) to TJ’s vanilla ice cream, which is based on Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe from 1780. President Jefferson is credited with bringing the first written recipe for ice cream to the United States. Or go for the Grand Slam of ice cream with the
8. Sunrise/Sunset At Mount Rushmore
If you follow me on Instagram then you know I love a good sunrise/sunset! So, of course, I recommend that you take in a sunrise or sunset at Mount Rushmore! Especially if you are staying for #9 on the list because you will need to stay after dark anyway!
9. Stay For The Evening Lighting
The Evening Lighting take place every night at 9 pm (during the summer). The entire presentation lasts about 45 minutes and you get to see the mountain all lit up! It’s beautiful and if you are staying in the area it’s totally worth it.
Looking for more things to do in this part of South Dakota? I’ve got you covered…
Do I recommend you visit Mount Rushmore? Yes, at least once, every American should see it at least once. But also try to remember that this symbol of American pride also lays on the ancestral lands of the Lakota Sioux, and to some, it does not represent freedom and majesty. Have you been to Mount Rushmore? What did you think?
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