The Lakota tribe never liked the fact that the sacred mountains of the Black Hills had been used to carve the faces of American presidents on Mount Rushmore. For this reason, in spite of some internal dissent, they decided to “challenge” the stars and stripes iconography to carve a monument depicting their famous chief Crazy Horse, triumphant in the Battle of Little Big Horn against General Custer.
The Crazy Horse Memorial, begun back in 1948, is still a work in progress, but you can distinctly see the head and outline of Crazy Horse’s outstretched arm. When completed, it will become the world’s largest sculpted statue in a mountain. Let’s find out how to visit Crazy Horse Memorial, in particular the best things to do, where is located, where to stay and some info about its starting date, working progress, and expected completion date.
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Hours, entrance fee and directions to Crazy Horse Memorial
The memorial dedicated to Crazy Horse is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, 10 minutes drive north of the city of Custer. It is therefore located in the geographic area of the so-called Real America where there are some of the most symbolic places of the American identity.
The memorial is open all year round but, as for the times of access to the structure, it is difficult to make a general statement as the times change a lot during the seasons, so to be on the safe side and not make mistakes, please take a look at the official page. As a general rule, the memorial is open from morning until sunset, but in summer the opening is extended in some cases until 22:00.
Prices to access the park are based on the number of people in the car with you:
- 30$ per car with more than two people on board
- 24$ per car with two people
- 12$ per car with one person
- 7$ per person on foot or bicycle
Things to do at Crazy Horse Memorial
The first building you will visit when you enter the Tourist Center is the large Welcome Center, which contains an information desk, a theater and the Indian Museum of North America. Here, you will have to cross to reach the large terrace from where you can observe the imposing sculpture that is slowly taking shape. Once outdoors, thanks to an extremely well-detailed 1/34 scale model, you can also see what the work will look like once completed.
On the two sides of the terrace, you will find the inevitable Gift Shop, where you can find all sorts of gadgets related to native traditions, and the Laughing Water Restaurant which is virtually your only option, not counting the snack shop, if you want to eat something while inside the memorial.
The other pavilions at the Tourist Center that you can visit are:
- Mountain Carving Gallery: here you can learn the story of how all this started thanks to the work and ideas of the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (who ironically participated for some years – together with his colleague Gutzon Borglum – in the works on Mount Rushmore). The tools, machinery, and models used during the early days of the project are of particular interest.
- The Native American Educational and Cultural Center: a place dedicated to preserving and passing on Indian art by contemporary artists, as well as being an additional exhibition space for the museum’s thematic exhibitions. The lower level houses a photographic exhibition by explorer Edward Sheriff Curtis focused on the world of the Wild West, and an exhibition dedicated to the history of bison.
- Sculptor Home & Studio: as you can guess from the name, this was the original home of the sculptor Ziolkowski and his family, and here you can find original furniture from the period.
Outside the facility, there is also a lovely garden where you will find the Nature Gates, striking gates made by Korczak and his family in which the profiles of over 200 animals found in this region of South Dakota have been depicted, a statue of two horses fighting, and a small memorial dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Special Tours
If you’re wondering if there’s anything else to do other than observe the sculpture from afar and visit the many sections of the Tourist Center, the answer is yes. There are a few experiences that are definitely worth trying if you have some time on your hands and are interested in learning more about the area.
One of the most interesting and spectacular events is Legends in Light, a show of lights and lasers projected onto the mountain that, among other things, show what the final shape of the sculpture will be. This event is seasonal and is held after sunset from Memorial Day weekend (the last Monday in May) until the end of September.
Again at night and, unfortunately, only twice each year, the Night Blasts are held, a fireworks event that illuminates the mountain with the light produced by several bonfires cleverly placed along the path and sculpted parts, creating a beautiful scenic effect. The first of these events is held on June 26 for the anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn and the birth of Ruth Ziolkowski, the sculptor’s wife. The second and final Night Blast is held on September 6 to commemorate the death of Crazy Horse and the birth of Korczak Ziolkowski.
If you don’t want to be make do only with seeing the sculpture from afar, you can also opt for the Rustic Bus Rides that, at a cost of $4 per person, will take you to the foot of the mountain. Here you can take closer photos of the sculpture but you won’t be able to go any further.
At this point, I imagine you have the most important question to ask: is it possible to climb up to the top of the work area and look into the eyes of the great Indian chief? The answer, theoretically, is yes but, unfortunately, there are some very strict conditions. The first option is to make a donation of at least $ 1,000 to the foundation that carries out the work. The second, and cheaper option, is to participate in the so-called Crazy Horse Volksmarch or a march from the Tourist Center to the area of the “outstretched arm” of Crazy Horse. This event is held only twice a year (you can see the updated dates on the official website), so you’ll have to be particularly lucky to find yourself in the right place at the right time. If you are, get ready for a 6-mile round trip that will take you from two to four hours, depending on your pace.
Crazy Horse Memorial Progress: History and Trivia
- The official start of the work was marked by the explosion of a dynamite charge on the mountain on June 3, 1948 and the ceremony was attended by 5 survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn.
- The sculpture work is funded solely by memorial entrance fees and donations. No federal or state contributions of any kind have ever been accepted.
- Four of the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski’s ten children are still taking part in the memorial’s completion work today.
- The next stages of work on the mountainside include focusing on the horse’s mane and head, and Crazy Horse’s arm, hair, and shoulder. They are expected to be completed in a 10-15 year time frame.
Where to stay in the area
The closest town to the memorial is, ironically, Custer, so here are some tips:
- Bavarian Inn This is a hotel with an exterior reminiscent of mountain chalets, but the interiors are in modern style. The rooms are well maintained and spacious enough. The hotel also has two swimming pools, one indoor and one outdoor.
- Rocket Motel Those who have fewer expectations but still want good service can opt for this classic American motel with its quality-price ratio as its strength.
