The Symbol of a Nation
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States of America. Carved intro the granite face of the mountain, it features the faces of four prominent American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Each face is over 60 feet tall and is an iconic symbol of American history and patriotism.
The creation of Mount Rushmore began in 1927 under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum. It took a team of over 400 workers fourteen years to complete the project, which required the use of dynamite, jackhammers, and other heavy machinery to carve the massive faces into the mountain. The faces were designed to represent the ideals of democracy, freedom, and unity, and to honor the legacies of the presidents they depict.
Visitors to Mount Rushmore can take a short walk to a viewing platform where they can see the faces up close and learn about the history of the monument through interpretive displays and ranger-led talks. There are also several hiking trails and picnic areas in the surrounding park, as well as a museum that features exhibits on the construction of the monument and the lives of the presidents it commemorates.
Today, Mount Rushmore is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States, drawing millions of visitors each year from around the world. It is a testament to the country’s rich history and serves as a powerful reminder of the values and ideals that have made America great.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to Mount Rushmore, depending on your starting point and mode of transportation.
By car: If you are driving, the main entrance to Mount Rushmore is located on Highway 244, just off of Highway 16A. The park is easily accessible from several major highways, including I-90, I-29, and US Highways 16, 385, and 16A. There is ample parking available at the park.
By air: The closest airport to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City Regional Airport, which is located approximately 35 miles away. Several major airlines offer daily flights to Rapid City from cities across the United States. From the airport, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to Mount Rushmore.
By bus: Several bus companies offer tours to Mount Rushmore from nearby cities such as Rapid City, Deadwood, and Keystone. These tours typically include transportation to and from the park, as well as guided tours of the monument and surrounding area.
By train: Amtrak operates a daily train service called the Southwest Chief that stops in several cities in the region, including Chicago, Kansas City, and Albuquerque. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus tour to Mount Rushmore.
Tickets and visiting hours
Mount Rushmore is open year-round, and the grounds are open 24 hours a day. The visitor center and gift shop have specific operating hours and may be closed during certain times of the year.
Visitors to Mount Rushmore will be able to explore the grounds, visit the visitor center, and attend the nightly lighting ceremony. The visitor center is a great place to learn more about the history of the monument and the Presidents depicted on the mountain. The nightly lighting ceremony is a popular event for visitors, and it illuminates the carved faces and provides a unique viewing experience.
There is no fee to visit the grounds of Mount Rushmore, but there is a fee to park your vehicle (available near the visitor center).
Guided tours are available and are a great way to learn more about the history of Mount Rushmore and the Presidents depicted on the mountain. Prices may vary and can start from around 13 dollars for a self-guided audio driving tour and from around 90 dollars for a bus tour with live commentary.
Places to get food and drinks
Food and Drinks are availabile at Carvers’ Café, open Monday through Sunday between 8 AM and 4:30 PM, as well as at Memorial Team Ice Cream shop, open Monday through Sunday between 9 AM and 8 PM. Both locations can be found near the Mount Rushmore Gift Shop.
Suggestions for food and drinks:
- Halleys West: Wide array of food and drinks; beers start from around 5$, a cheeseburrger from around 10$
- Big Thunder Family Bar & Grill: Wide variety of meals and drinks and good reviews.
- Cruizzers: Mainly pizzas; depending on size and topping choice can get a pizza for around 18-20$
- Red Garter Saloon: Wide array of food; prices varry depending on course but you can get a taco or a burger in the 9-14$ range
Accomodation
Places to go camping:
- Horsethief Lake Campground: This campground is located just 5 miles (around 8km) from Mount Rushmore and offers 36 campsites, including several with electric hookups. The campground is situated near Horsethief Lake, which offers fishing and swimming opportunities.
- Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort: This resort is located about 10 miles (around 16km) from Mount Rushmore and offers a variety of camping options, including tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. The resort features several amenities, including a heated pool, hot tub, and playground.
Hotel, motel and other accomodation suggestions:
- Powder House Lodge: Located in Keystone, 7 km from Mount Rushmore, Powder House Lodge provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. Located around 38 km from Black Hills National Forest, the hotel with free WiFi is also 12 km away from Rush Mountain Adventure Park. The property is allergy-free and is set 32 km from Journey Museum.
- Keystone Escape: Keystone Escape with Amazing Mt Rushmore View! is set in Keystone, 36 km from Journey Museum, 42 km from Black Hills National Forest, as well as 8.8 km from Rush Mountain Adventure Park. The accommodation is 6.7 km from the Mount Rushmore and features free WiFi throughout the property.
- Historic Keystone Cabin Near Mount Rushmore: Set in Keystone in the South-Dakota region, Historic Keystone Cabin Near Mount Rushmore! has a patio. This holiday home is 38 km from Journey Museum and 13 km from Rush Mountain Adventure Park.
- K Bar S Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection: Nestled in the black hills in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, the K Bar S Lodge Ascend Hotel Collection Member in Keystone, SD offers amazing profile views of Mount Rushmore as well as close proximity to attractions like Rushmore Cave, President’s Alpine Slide and Custer State Park.
