The Best time to visit Mount Rushmore
Are you looking at visiting Mount Rushmore and trying to decide when is the best time to visit Mount Rushmore? Maybe you only have a certain time when you are able to visit and want to know what it will be like if you visit in that season or month.
Here in this guide, we will go through each season and month in Mount Rushmore, to help you decide and give you tips on when to get there so that you can make the most from your time at this popular National Memorial.
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Mount Rushmore in Spring
Spring can be a nice time to visit Mount Rushmore as the days are getting longer and warmer, there is less chance of snow and there are fewer visitors than in Summer. By May the numbers have significantly increased but it is still less than half of the people who will visit in June, July and August.
At the start of March it can get quite warm during the day, though on an evening there can still be freezing temperatures, but as Spring moves on, the temperatures rise, the nights become warmer and this is a pleasant time to visit.
Opening hours start to change towards the end of May, when the lighting ceremony starts back up and the Sculptors Studio opens again for Summer.
Mount Rushmore in March
In March the number of visitors has doubled from the winter months but still a very low number compared to the number of visitors in summer. In March 2024 there were 62,821 visitors, with 61,045 Mount Rushmore in March 2023 and in 2022 there were 87,109.
Temperatures can vary considerably in March as spring appears, with the beginning of the month generally being cooler than the end of the month. The average temperature in March is 46°F (8°C) during the day and as low as 28°F (-2°C), so make sure to bring warm clothing if you are visiting early morning or for sunset.
The sculptors studio is still closed throughout March, though the rest of the buildings are open. On the 10th March, the monument is lit until 11pm, before this date it is only lit until 9pm.
Mount Rushmore in April
In Mount Rushmore in April there are still not many visitors to the park compared to Summer but still a lot more compared to January. In April 2022, 96,726 people visited Mt Rushmore and in April 2023 there were 97,447 visitors.
In April we start to see more day of rain in the park, as Spring is quite a wet season in the Blackhills, with the temperatures starting to increase. The average temperature in April is 52°F (11°C) during the day and 32°F (0°C) on an evening, so you will still need to make sure to wrap up warm when you visit.
In April, the sculptors studio is still closed until next month and the mountain is lit up until 11pm when the grounds and car park are closed, but if you have the right clothes, then April can be a good month to visit, before the number of visitors triples next month.
Mount Rushmore in May
In Mount Rushmore in May the visitor numbers are nearly three times the amount for April and so have increased considerably from last month. In May 2022 there were 247,871 visitors to the park and in May 2023, even more people came to visit Mount Rushmore in May with 293,484 visitors.
The average temperature in May is 60°F (16°C), though by the end of the month you can expect it to be around 64°F (18°C), with a low in the evening of 43°F (6°C), though in the past there have been extremes of 95°F (35°C) and 23°F (-5°C) throughout the month. In May there is on average 10 days of rain to be expected in the park.
By May 24th, everything in the park is open for Summer, with the evening light ceremony starting again on May 24th at 9pm. The Sculptors studio is now open too for visitors to enjoy from 8am till 8pm, with the grounds and car parking closing at 11pm.
Mount Rushmore in Summer
Summer is the busiest season at Mount Rushmore and has the most amount of visitors in the year by far. Expect queues to get into and leave Mount Rushmore, and if possible visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer visitors.
The temperatures in the park are the hottest at this time of year, so make sure to have a hat and sun block and to fill up your water bottle at the refill stations.
Everything in the park is open in summer, make sure to enjoy one of the rangers talks in the Sculptors Studio throughout the day and watch the Mt Rushmore lighting ceremony take place.
Mount Rushmore in June
In June we can see a huge increase in the number of visitors to the park, in June 2023 there were 662,940 visitors and in June 2022 there were 692,238 people visiting the park. This is nearly triple the number of visitors the park seeing May.
June is another wet month in Mount Rushmore, with 10 days on average of rain in the month, but we are starting to see higher temperatures of 77°F (25°C) during the day and 53°F (12°C) on an evening.
In Mount Rushmore in June every place in the park is open, the sculptors studio is open from 8am to 8pm, you will have no problem walking the presidential trail and getting a closer look at the faces. Make sure to also enjoy an ice cream while you are there.
Mount Rushmore in July
July is the most popular month to visit Mount Rushmore with 844,074 visitors in July 2023 and 830,581 visitors in July 2022. It is even considerably higher than the numbers in June and in August. This is due to many people choosing to spend 4th of July at Mount Rushmore.
July is the hottest month of the year to visit Mount Rushmore, with the average temperature during the day of 84°F (29°C) and the average low for the day of 60°F (16°C). Make sure to bring a hat and sun block and enjoy an ice cream in the park.
Everything is open in Mount Rushmore in July with the grounds and car park closing at 11pm, you can also see the mountain lit up until 11pm. Expect queues getting into the car park as there are only 4,200 spaces available. Make sure to enjoy of the ranger talks at the sculptors studio after hiking the presidential trail.
Mount Rushmore in August
Mount Rushmore in August, is the third busiest month in the park, but there are over 200,000 fewer visitors in August compared to July. In August 2023 there were 624,104 visitors to the park and in August 2022, 608,272 people visited.
August is slightly cooler than July, though not by much. On average the maximum temperature during the day is 82°F (28°C) and on an evening the average is 59°F (15°C). Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and fill up your water bottles at the water filling stations.
The Presidential Trail is nice to hike in August as there are many trees and areas of shade, though make sure not to stop on the stairs and block the path. Enjoy an ice cream or a cool drink in the cafe.
Mount Rushmore in Fall
Fall can be a great time to visit Mount Rushmore as the numbers are much lower than in summer. September would be the best month to visit as the evening lighting ceremony is still happening and the sculptors studio is still open.
By October the opening hours and reducing and in November, most of the buildings start their winter hours, but if you want to visit when there are fewer people in the park, it can be a great time to visit.
If you want to see the leaves changing colors on the trees, then October is a great time to visit the Blackhills and Mount Rushmore, where you can see the change.
Mount Rushmore in September
By September in Mt Rushmore the number of visitors has nearly halved compared to in August, in September 2023 there were 386,122 visitors and in September 2022, 382,713 people visited Mount Rushmore.
In Mount Rushmore in September the temperatures have reduced from the heat in July and August to a comfortable average of 75°F (24°C) during the day and 52°F (11°C) at night, making it a great month to choose to travel to Mount Rushmore.
Everything is open until the end of September, with it being the last month of the sculptors studio being open and the evening lighting ceremony. It is a great month to visit to enjoy at everything at the park, before parts close for winter.
Mount Rushmore in October
In Mount Rushmore in October we see the number of visitors more than half from the numbers in September, with 150,034 visitors in October 2023 and 176,498 in October 2022.
In October we can see the temperatures have dropped considerably with the average daily temperature of 57°F (14°C) and 37°F (3°C) on a night. Make sure to wrap up warm during your trip.
At the end of September we saw the Sculptors Studio close until next year and the end of the evening lighting ceremony until next year, the visitors center now closes at 6pm and the grounds and parking at 9pm, though you can see the mountain lit up from sunset until 9pm.
Mount Rushmore in November
By November in Mount Rushmore, the number of visitors has significantly dropped, in November 2023 to 47,961 and November 2022 to 54,555.
It is now cold in Mount Rushmore in November and it is possible that the presidential trail could be closed due to ice. During the day the average high is 46°F (8°C) and on a night it can drop as low as 28°F (-2°C), so make sure to wear appropriate clothing when visiting.
Mount Rushmore grounds are open until 9pm and the mountain is lit until this time, though the visitors center closes at 5pm, the cafe at 4.30pm and the gift shop at 6pm.
Mount Rushmore in Winter
Winter can be a good time to visit Mount Rushmore as only 5% of the number of visitors in July/August visit Mount Rushmore in Winter making it much more enjoyable if you want to experience it when it is quiet and not full of tourists.
If you do visit in winter though, you will not be able to see the lighting ceremony as this is only held from the end of May to the end of September. The mountain is lit up from sunset to 9pm, so you will still be able to visit and see it lit up.
Winter is when you can expect there to be snow, though the roads are normally kept clear so it is very rarely that you are unable to visit. In winter due to snow and ice, you may find that the Presidential Trail is closed, as the wooden steps and boardwalk can get very slippery in the snow and ice.
Mount Rushmore in December
Mount Rushmore in December is one of the quietest months in the park with 29,944 visitors in December 2023 and 32,149 visitors in December 2022. The days are colder and shorter but if you want to visit without the crowds then this can be a good month to choose.
December is one of the driest months of the year in the park, but it is also one of the coldest months with temperatures during the day around 34°F (1°C), but dropping to 19°F (-7°C) at night. You may wish to leave the park as soon as the sun has set or return before it closes at 9pm to see the mountain lit up.
You will find that all the buildings in the park are open in December, except the sculptors studio which is only open from May to October and there is no evening lighting ceremony as it is just too cold. You can see the mountain lit up though from sunset to 9pm.
Mount Rushmore in January
Mount Rushmore is open every day in January and it can be a good time of year to visit if you want to enjoy seeing it with fewer people. In January 2023, there were 33,444 visitors to the park, though in January 2024 this was down to 20,387.
Mount Rushmore in January is one of the coldest months of the year with highs of around 37°F (3°C) during the day. Generally there is not snow in January, though it is possible, it can be quite icy though, especially early morning, meaning that the presidential trail can be closed for safety.
Everything is open in January except the sculptors studio and the mountain is lit up from sunset to 9pm, though after 5pm the only place indoors that is open till 8pm is the gift shop, so you may either want to get your pictures just after sunset and leave or come back after dark to see the monument lit up.
Mount Rushmore in February
February can be a good time of year to visit Mount Rushmore as it is one of the lowest months for visitors. In February 2023 there were 35,545 visitors to Mount Rushmore, but in February 2024 there were only 29,028 visitors to the National Monument.
In Mount Rushmore in February the weather can vary considerably with temperatures ranging from 64.5°F (18°C) to lows of -14°F (-26°C) and you can expect there to be some snow during the month, though the road to Mount Rushmore is a main road and is usually kept open or opened very quickly after snowfall.
You may find that the Presidential Trail is closed more in February due to snow and ice, the sculptors studio is also still closed, but everything else at the National Monument is open and the mountain is lit up from sunset every evening until 9pm.
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