There are monuments that become true icons, symbols that identify a nation, with its aspiration towards freedom and its desire to celebrate its history and tradition. The impressive and daring sculpture of Mount Rushmore, with the faces of the famous four U.S. presidents carved into the rock, undoubtedly falls into this category; in fact, rarely can a monument be so easily associated with the spirit of a nation, the United States of America. Today we’re going to figure out how to plan a visit to Mount Rushmore, what to do there and what attractions are nearby.
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Where is Mount Rushmore located?
If the fame of Mount Rushmore is undisputed, less so is its location, rather decentralized with respect to the main U.S. tourist destinations (we are in fact far from California or the outskirts of New York), yet full of attractions and natural wonders. This spectacular monument is in fact located in the state of South Dakota, on the mountainous massif of the Black Hills near the city of Rapid City.
Mount Rushmore History
Certainly, to come up with a project like Mount Rushmore (named after New York lawyer Charles E. Rushmore, who had very little to do with the construction) requires at least a visionary intellect, bordering between boldness and madness. This profile corresponds to the name of Doane Robinson, a historian who was asked to think of something to increase the touristic potential of the area and apparently he didn’t like banal ideas, nor simple things.
14 years of work (from 1927 to 1941), supervised by the architect Gutzon Borglum, in precarious conditions and also quite dangerous for the 400 workers involved, who juggled with drilling, polishing and dynamite explosions (fortunately no one was killed) to ensure that the faces of America’s 4 most beloved presidents were printed on the granite wall: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln (in order from the left). A project of colossal proportions, which originally had to include the busts, but already so is very impressive, just think that the faces of the presidents are more than 59-feet high.
How to get at Mount Rushmore, and other useful info
The best way to reach Mount Rushmore National Monument is with your own car (or rental car), considering the fact that there is no public transportation in the area. So let’s see what are the main directions to follow:
- From I-90 exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 SouthWest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
- If you are coming from the south follow Highway 385 North to Highway 244. The road uphill is about 3 miles long and is scenic, while driving you can already see the faces of the presidents.
The park is open all year round, weather permitting, with schedules that change depending on the period:
- March to September: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m
- October to March: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
There are two visitor centers that can help you better understand the history of the monument and the activities that can be done inside.
- Information Center: This is the first place you will probably stop, as it is located near the entrance. Here you will find the rangers who will be able to answer your questions and curiosity and you will find the program of activities for the day, as well as the bookstore.
- Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center: located just below the large panoramic terrace, here are housed a real museum that traces the history of the place through a permanent exhibition and a documentary video lasting about 20 minutes.
Among the buildings worth visiting, I would also like to point out the Sculptor’s Studio, the place where Guzton Borglum worked from 1939 to 1941, which now houses a scale model of the famous sculptures. Admission to the monument is theoretically free. I say theoretically because, although you don’t have to buy a ticket, you will still be required to pay $10 for parking which, being managed by a private company, doesn’t even include the possibility of using the America the Beautiful parks pass.
How to visit Mount Rushmore?
After having seen how to get to the monument, and having explained the information about the entrance and the timetable, we now come to discover how to plan a visit at best through the main things to see, tips for accommodation and some curiosity.
Things to do at Mount Rushmore
Obviously, the main thing to see at Mount Rushmore is the monument itself: at a close-up view, you can’t help but feel the charm and impact of the 4 presidents admiring the horizon. The best way to enjoy the giant sculpture in the rock is the Presidential Trail, a beautiful circular path that includes access to the Sculptor‘s Studios, where you will discover how the monument was made. Also stop by the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to enjoy a 20-minute film about the history of Mount Rushmore. In less than two hours, you’ll be able to enjoy it all. If you have more time, take one of several tours (many are free) given by park rangers.
Mount Rushmore Tours
If you would like to take a break from your on-the-road schedule and take an organized tour of Mount Rushmore and its surroundings, here are some recommended options:
- Mount Rushmore and Surrounding Area Tour: this 6 ½ hour tour departs from the cities of Rapid City and Keystone and offers the possibility of pick up at the main hotels. You will discover the wonders of this part of the United States including the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park and the most beautiful views of the Black Hills.
- Mount Rushmore and Surrounding Area Safari Tour: This is definitely the most comprehensive tour compared to the previous tours because it requires at least 9 hours to complete. For this tour we use a picturesque 10-seater minibus with very large windows that allow you to fully enjoy the beauty that surrounds you even while moving. The tour departs from major Rapid City hotels and travels the following route: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake, The Needles, Mount Coolidge, Wildlife Loop Road, Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road.
- Audioguide: if, on the other hand, you arrive by car alone, there is also this audioguide to download on your smartphone: an excellent solution for those who prefer to do everything independently.
Things to Do Around Mount Rushmore
A visit to Mount Rushmore can’t be said to be complete if you don’t also visit the interesting surroundings of the area. Here are the top attractions worth including in your Great American West itinerary, with travel times noted in parentheses:
- Jewel Cave National Monument (approximately 45 minutes): This is the third longest cave in the world with more than 300 miles of mapped tunnels. If you are an experienced caver, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit this cave and photograph its particular colors by taking part in the tours offered by the rangers of the National Park Service, or take a walk on the surface along one of the several paths.
- Devils Tower National Monument (about 2 hours and 10 minutes): Even though at first glance the name might not mean much to you (or at the very least, might scare you a little), this place was used as the location for one of the most important scenes in American cinema. If you’ve seen Spielberg’s classic film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and you’ve always wanted to visit the mountain that haunts the protagonists of the story, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. For all the details you can read our dedicated in-depth article.
- Wind Cave National Park (about 50 minutes): One of the oldest national parks in the United States. It is a vast prairie below which is a series of tunnels and caves that can be visited through guided tours.
- Crazy Horse Memorial (about 30 minutes): another daring sculpture in the Black Hills (still under construction) that promises to be the largest rock sculpture ever built. It’s meant to represent the famous Crazy Horse of the Sioux tribe, and was intended to serve as a counterbalance to the construction of Mount Rushmore National Monument.
- Badlands National Park (about 1 hour and a half): the main feature of this national park are the particular rock formations that, due to a particular process of erosion by wind and water, over time have taken on original shapes and colors. The park is divided into two zones and hosts in its vicinity some curious attractions that I invite you to discover by reading our dedicated article.
Places to Stay Near Mount Rushmore
Unfortunately, there are no hotels or overnight options within the park. This lack, however, is compensated by the presence of two towns in the immediate vicinity that offer many solutions for a stay. Both have on their side the fact that they offer good reasons to be visited so that they can be considered not only as mere points of support, but also as an opportunity to discover a part less traveled by the classic tourist routes of the United States. Let’s see what are the recommended accommodations.
Keystone (10 minutes)
A town that doesn’t leave you indifferent: you can be amused by its kitschy spirit of the Wild West a bit flashy and its delicious pastries, or hate it in the name of a search for authenticity. But that’s what America is all about! Given its proximity, it’s definitely the best place to look for accommodation if you don’t want to stray too far.
- K Bar S Lodge (434 Old Hill City Road): a hotel with large rooms built in the style of mountain huts. This is no coincidence since you will be surrounded by woods and hills that will guarantee you a relaxing stay and a great view to contemplate when you return.
- Under Canvas Mount Rushmore (24342 Presidio Ranch Road): Have you always dreamed of sleeping under a tent surrounded by nature but at the same time having all the comforts of modernity available? Then this particular campground is definitely for you. You will be able to tell on your return that you have lived an original and enviable experience.
Search for Keystone Accommodations
Rapid City (30 minutes)
This is the capital of the region, an interesting town easily visited on foot, with a charming center full of houses with characteristic red bricks, stores and restaurants.
- Alex Johnson Hotels (523 6th Street, Rapid City): This boutique hotel blends classic style with Sioux tradition. Dating back as far as 1927, its main curiosity is the fact that the notorious Al Capone chose it for his stay. Located right in the center of the city it also houses a renowned Irish pub that also offers live music entertainment to its guests. The rooms are well kept and in terms of size we are in the average of American hotels.
- Residence Inn by Marriott (581 Watiki Way): those who want to rely on the certainties and comforts that a hotel of a big chain can offer can opt for this choice. The rooms are spacious and some even have a sitting area to make your stay more enjoyable.
Search for an accommodation in Rapid City
Mount Rushmore in the movies and in mass culture
The fateful mountain has served as the backdrop to several films and among all we can not fail to mention the finale of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest: if you want to feel the feeling of being on the set of the film make a trip to Carvers Cafe, the place where Cary Grant is hit by a bullet. We can not fail to mention the famous second chapter of the Superman saga of the late Christopher Reeve when the faces of the presidents are replaced by those of the evil Dru-Zod and his associates. Deep Purple lovers won’t be able to forget how Mount Rushmore was used in the cover of the Deep Purple in Rock album where the faces of the band members are represented instead of those of the US presidents.
Here’s what you can expect…
Here’s a great video tracing the road up to Mount Rushmore.
