Planning a visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial? You’re in for a treat! Located in the stunning Black Hills of South Dakota, this iconic landmark is a must-see destination. Here’s your guide to making the most of your day at Mount Rushmore.
Traveling to Mount Rushmore
For a scenic route to the memorial, take Iron Mountain Road (16A). You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the four presidents through the tunnels- perfect for a photo op! Alternatively, you can take Hwy 385 north to highway 244 to arrive from the south.
We arrived shortly after the parking area opened, which we highly recommend! The park gets very busy by lunchtime and parking fills up quickly. Especially during the busy summer months. While there is no entrance fee for visiting the Memorial, however you will need to pay a parking fee.
First Views of Mount Rushmore
As you walk up the stairs, you’ll receive your first view of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Stroll through the Avenue of Flags on your way to the Grand View Terrace. A fun activity with the kids was to go through the states to find our home state flag and take a selfie!
The Grand View Terrace area is paved and wheelchair and stroller accessible. There are elevators available for access to the Visitor Center and the Amphitheater. If you are looking for a quick visit to the Memorial, you can start and end your visit right here. The Grand View Terrace offers great photo ops of Mount Rushmore. To get a closer view of the presidents, head down the Presidential Trail.
The Presidential Trail and Sculptor’s Studio
We walked down to the Sculptor’s Studio to view the scale model of the presidential sculpture. There was a very informative Ranger presentation on Guzton Borglum, the sculptor for Mount Rushmore. We continued on the Presidential Trail from there, all the way to the base of the mountain. Kudos to my hubby who carried our toddler in the backpack carrier up the 400+ stairs on this portion of the trail.
If you start the Presidential Trail on the left side of Grand View Terrace, the first portion is an accessible boardwalk that takes you close to the base of the memorial. Here you can stop and enjoy the close-up views of the presidents. This avoids the stairs altogether or you can continue on the trail to take the stairs down to the Sculptor’s Studio.
Visitor Center and Gift Shop
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center has fantastic exhibits about the history of the memorial, each of the presidents represented, and how the memorial was built. The informative video about Mount Rushmore was (surprisingly) our son’s favorite part of the visit.
Stop by the bookstore and gift shop on the way out of the park to stamp your National Park passport or Junior Ranger book. The gift shop is full of park souvenirs, gifts, and snacks. We picked up some delicious huckleberry taffy! Many families were enjoying ice cream from nearby Carver’s café.
Visiting Mount Rushmore at Night
Return to the park in the evening for a ranger-led presentation and the lighting of the Memorial. Keep your parking validation from earlier in the day to re-enter the park without having to pay another fee. We have heard the ceremony is fantastic and will be sure to include this activity when we visit again.
Next Time at Mount Rushmore
We had a great family trip to Mount Rushmore, but there are so many more activities than we had originally anticipated when visiting. From Ranger-led programs to a self-guided tour of the park, we have a few things we want to plan for on our next visit.
Next time, we plan to hike one of the additional trails available at the Memorial. The Blackberry Trail is only about a mile long but is marked as a moderately strenuous trail though the natural surroundings of the park. This is something we would like to try when the kids are a little older and we have more time.
More to do in the Black Hills
From breathtaking views and historical insights to family-friendly activities and unforgettable photo opportunities, Mount Rushmore National Memorial offers a day full of exploration and excitement. Whether you’re admiring the iconic faces from the Grand View Terrace, hiking the Presidential Trail, or enjoying a ranger-led presentation in the evening, there’s no shortage of memorable experiences to be had.
Don’t forget to explore the scenic roads, nearby national parks, and charming small towns in the surrounding Black Hills. With so much to see and do, you’ll likely find yourself planning your next visit before you even leave. If you want to explore more of the Black Hills, check out our post on the top things to explore in the area.
Happy Travels!
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