Up next How To Tell If Your Brake Pads Are Glazed Published on March 08, 2023 Author Anya Murphy Tags Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, mount rushmore trails, mt rushmore activities, South Dakota, South Dakota Black Hills, things to do at mount rushmore, things to do at mt rushmore, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 What to Do and See in Mount Rushmore Things to Do at Mount Rushmore Planning a trip to Mount Rushmore? Explore the nature of one of our nation’s most historical national parks on your next adventure! Beyond the iconic granite faces of four U.S. presidents, this South Dakota landmark offers hiking trails, ranger programs, an abundance of local wildlife, a rich cultural history and nearby attractions that can fill an entire weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about what to do around Mount Rushmore to make the most of your visit. From the side of Mount Rushmore, the stratification of the rock formation is clear. Mount Rushmore is a culturally important representation of American history, but it’s so much more than it stands for. According to the National Park Service, the monument hosts just over two million people every year, so it’s important that when you visit, you plan accordingly. But most travel sites emphasize that you only need a couple of hours to see the park, so why make the trip all the way out there? Well, there’s far more to do in the Black Hills than you might think… Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Wildlife Exploration The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to more than just Mount Rushmore; they cover over 10,000 square miles of lands that include prairies, grasslands, badlands, and mountains. Much of that 10,000 square miles are made up of public lands, too. “Home to seven National Parks, Monuments, Memorials, Forests, Grasslands and many State Parks and Recreation Areas, we are definitely a very public place,” says the official Black Hills and Badlands website. Elevations in the region vary from 2,500 feet to 7,242 feet, providing a home for the variety of hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and ATV trails that criss-cross the region. Scenic Byways and Wildlife Loops offer driving excitement and panoramic vistas of the great outdoors for the ultimate overlanding view. There’s an activity for just about every outdoor enthusiast in the Black Hills. ATV trails, off-road areas, and hiking trails abound, as do water recreation areas for canoers, kayakers, and fishermen. Trail riding on horseback? Yep. Water sports? You got it. Even in the winter months, you can still enjoy the outdoors, with ice fishing, snowmibiliing, and even some ski terrain. There’s also a massive geocaching culture, so keep your eyes open for caches! Ties to Native Groups According to the National Park Service, the Black Hills of South Daokta, where Mount Rushmore is located, are, “an important historical, spiritual, and cultural site to many tribal nations.” Many National Park sites occupy spiritually and culturally important places to Native peoples, and possess histories often marred by dispossession and exclusion of Native peoples from these sites. When you visit, it’s crictial that you treat all people and lands with care. Mount Rushmore in particular represents the tension that has existed between the Native people of South Dakota and settlers for hundreds of years. The Black Hills themselves are held sacred by the Lakota Sioux tribe, whose history is steeped in the land itself. When settlers from the east came seeking gold in the late 1800s and early 1900s, they forcibly took land in the Black Hills from the Lakota Sioux, permanently damaging their relationship. What does this mean for your visit to Mount Rushmore? Today, it’s important that we read up and learn about our history of violence throughout the West and be conscious of our ancestors’ impact on each other. Be sure you’re conducting yourself respectfully and being appreciative of all of the lives that were lost during the creation of the monument. If you want to explore the full list of native tribes who populate the land around the Black Hills, you can find it the National Park Service’s website. Wildlife of Mount Rushmore Rocky Mountain Goats If you’ve never seen a Rocky Mountain Goat before, you might be alarmed when you catch a glimpse of your first. It’s totally understandable; we were, too. They’re born climbers, and can often be spotted balancing on cliffs and other rock formations. Their soft hooves give them the ability to climb up and down the very steep terrain in the Black Hills. According to the National Park Service, mountain goats are not native to the Black Hills. Actually, we can trace the entire population down to just six goats, a gift to Custer State Park by Canada in 1924, that escaped from their pens and found their home among the Black Hills granite peaks. There are now more than 200 mountain goats in the area. They have long, shaggy white coats that contrast sharply with their black horns, nose, and hooves. Mule Deer Mule deer are a commonly-spooted mammal throughout the northwest. They move with the seasons, so depending on when you decide to visit Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, you may see them behaving differently. They spend summer days in the shade, moving and feeding during the early morning and late evening hours. In winter, they become more active during the warmer daylight hours. Mule deer eat a wide variety of grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and parts of trees. Yellow-bellied Marmots You’re most likely to see Yellow-bellied Marmots along the Presidential Trail during the summer as they feed on grasses, broad-leaved plants and seeds. Marmots are true hibernators and are not active from late October until late April. During the warmer months and throughout the summer, marmots dig burrows, where they live in colonies. Essential Mount Rushmore Experiences View the Presidential Trail (0.6 Miles) The Presidential Trail gets you closer to the monument than any other public viewing area. This accessible boardwalk loop takes 30-45 minutes and offers multiple viewing angles of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into the mountain. Best time to visit: Early morning (before 9 AM) for fewer crowds and optimal lighting for photography. Attend the Evening Lighting Ceremony One of the most memorable things to do at Mount Rushmore is the nightly lighting ceremony (Memorial Day through September). The 30-minute program includes: A ranger-led talk about the monument’s history A patriotic film presentation The dramatic illumination of the carved faces An opportunity for military veterans to participate in the flag retreat Pro tip: Arrive 45 minutes early to secure amphitheater seating. Explore the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center Learn the fascinating story behind the monument’s creation at this modern visitor center featuring: Interactive exhibits about sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s techniques Original carving tools and equipment A 14-minute orientation film The Sculptor’s Studio (accessible via Presidential Trail) Admission: Free with park entry Top Things to Do Around Mount Rushmore Iron Mountain Road: One of America’s Most Scenic Drives This 17-mile stretch connects Mount Rushmore to Custer State Park and features: Pigtail bridges (spiral wooden structures) Tunnel “frames” that perfectly frame the monument Wildlife viewing opportunities (bighorn sheep, mountain goats) Granite spire formations Drive time: Allow 1-2 hours with photo stops Custer State Park Wildlife Loop (18 Miles) Located just 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore, this loop road is where you’ll spot: Bison herds (1,300+ animals roam freely) Burros (friendly donkeys that approach vehicles) Pronghorn antelope Prairie dog towns Best viewing times: Dawn and dusk Crazy Horse Memorial (17 Miles Away) The world’s largest mountain carving in-progress honors Native American leader Crazy Horse. The complex includes: The enormous mountain carving (still being completed) Indian Museum of North America Native American Cultural Center Sculptor’s studio tours Nightly laser light show (summer months) Admission: $15 per person (supports the ongoing carving) Historic Deadwood (45 Minutes Away) This Wild West town offers a change of pace with: Main Street lined with preserved 1800s buildings Mount Moriah Cemetery (resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane) Historic gambling halls and salinos Daily reenactments of Wild Bill’s shooting Frequently Asked Questions How much does it cost to see Mount Rushmore? Entry to Mount Rushmore National Memorial is free. However, visitors must pay a $10 parking fee per vehicle, valid for one year. This fee supports facility maintenance and visitor services. Annual and senior passes do not waive parking fees. No additional charges apply for viewing the monument, walking trails, or attending ranger programs. How long does it take to tour Mount Rushmore? A basic Mount Rushmore visit typically takes 1-2 hours. This includes viewing from Grand View Terrace, walking the Presidential Trail (0.6 miles), and visiting the museum and sculptor’s studio. Plan 2-3 hours for a thorough experience including ranger programs. The evening lighting ceremony adds 30-45 minutes during summer months. What is the best time of day to visit Mount Rushmore? Early morning (7-9 AM) offers the best Mount Rushmore experience with fewer crowds, optimal lighting on the faces, and cooler temperatures. Mid-morning provides excellent photography conditions. Late afternoon creates dramatic shadows but can be crowded. Summer evenings feature the lighting ceremony at 9 PM, making sunset visits worthwhile for this experience. Is Mount Rushmore lit up at night? Yes, Mount Rushmore is illuminated nightly year-round for two hours after sunset. During summer (late May through September), the memorial hosts an evening lighting ceremony at 9 PM featuring a ranger talk, patriotic film, and dramatic illumination. Winter lighting occurs without ceremony. The monument remains visible but viewing areas close at designated times. Can you go inside Mount Rushmore? No, visitors cannot go inside Mount Rushmore’s carved faces. A planned Hall of Records chamber behind Lincoln’s head was never completed for public access. A repository containing historical documents exists behind the monument but is sealed and inaccessible. Visitors explore the memorial through ground-level trails, viewing platforms, and visitor facilities only. What else is there to do near Mount Rushmore? Nearby attractions include Custer State Park (wildlife viewing, scenic drives), Crazy Horse Memorial (15 miles away), historic Deadwood (gambling, Wild West history), Badlands National Park (70 miles), and numerous caves including Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. Keystone offers dining, shopping, and the 1880 Train. Black Hills recreational activities include hiking, fishing, and scenic byways.