Don't miss the Crazy Horse Laser Show

One of the most popular attractions at Crazy Horse was the Crazy Horse Laser Show. It was a show that many visiting South Dakota would attend during the summer months, and you could enjoy seeing the mountain where the monument to Crazy Horse is being carved, come alive with an amazing laser show.

After 17 years, it was announced in 2023 that from the 30 September 2023 that the Crazy Horse Laser Show would be stopping. They are looking at alternative options to replace their current show, and there will be no evening show in 2024. As of October 4, 2025, nothing has been announced for the 2026 summer season.

Image of a nighttime laser light show projected onto the Crazy Horse Mountain. The display features a glowing outline of the United States in green, with the states labeled "South Dakota" and "Connecticut" in yellow and blue laser text. A dotted yellow line connects the two states.

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What time is the laser show at Crazy Horse?

Unfortunately, the laser show at Crazy Horse Memorial South Dakota, was stopped at the end of the 2023 season, and September 30, 2023, was the last showing of their current laser show. Hopefully, in the future, there will be an alternative show that we can enjoy in the evening, but as of yet, nothing has been announced, and there was no evening show in 2024.

Enjoy a Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Black Hills Tour

If you don’t have a car, make sure to take a tour of Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. It’s an area that you can’t miss. Click here to book your tour.

Before, when trying to decide between Crazy Horse vs Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse show competed with the lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore, and it would be a disappointment if it were not replaced with something else.

How long is the Crazy Horse laser show?

Image from the Crazy Horse Memorial laser light show, featuring a glowing neon-style outline of a man with braids and a neck scarf, labeled "Quanah Parker" in yellow light. The figure is rendered in blue and yellow laser lines against a dark background, highlighting this notable Native American leader as part of the educational and cultural storytelling during the evening presentation.

The Crazy Horse Memorial light show lasted around 30 minutes and was well worth staying for or returning for. In my opinion, it was much better than Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony, as that is more a history of the place with the lights on the mountain getting brighter, whereas at Crazy Horse Monument, the laser light show, was actually a show using lasers and lights that are telling a story and you could even see a horse galloping along.

The Story behind the “Legends in Light” show

Image from the Crazy Horse Memorial laser light show, displaying a quote in glowing blue and yellow laser text against a dark background. The quote reads: “The story of the Native American is an epic.” A small, faint image of a soaring bird, possibly an eagle, appears above the text. The visual is part of a night time show at Crazy Horse celebrating Native American heritage.

During the Legends in Light show you could see the mountain was used as a 500 foot screen on which images and colours are projected. You could also hear music and the story of the Native Americans.

It told the story of Ziolkowski going there to start creating the mountain carving and names the heroes of the Native Americans, before going on to tell the story of Crazy Horse through images and song and the Native Americans who lived in the area.

Many people would look up at the memorial during the show and wonder when will Crazy Horse Monument be finished? Will I get to see it finished in my lifetime?

Facts about the Crazy Horse laser light show

An illuminated laser projection of a Native American figure riding a horse, displayed against a dark night sky. The figure, representing Crazy Horse, is shown with flowing hair and an outstretched arm pointing forward. The horse is depicted in shades of blue and yellow, with its head lowered. This artistic light show is part of the nighttime experience at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota.

To create the show on a 500ft background, they were using three of the world’s largest projectors and the biggest lasers that are used in the laser industry at 15 watt.

They also had 25 2,000 watt fixtures that lit up the mountain with differing colours during the show and to make sure that everyone in the complex and car parks can hear the show, they were using 8,800 watt’s of stereo sound.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Black Hills

Enjoy a Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise over Custer State Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Click here to book today.

How is the Legends in Light Show different from the Night Blast?

The Night Blast’s typically only happen twice a year on the 26th June and 6th September following the Legends in Light show, though it hasn’t been announced whether they will happen, as there is no longer the laser show.

The Night Blasts are pyrotechnic displays that light up the mountain with fireballs, going up and down the mountain for about 5 minutes. The Night Blasts have happened on the 26th June to celebrate the birthday of the late Ruth Ziolkowski and the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.

On the 6th September, it is to celebrate the birth of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and the death of Crazy Horse in 1877.

Things to pack for visiting Crazy Horse Monument

What you’ll want to pack for a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial depends on the time of year.

During summer, days are typically hot, ideal for wearing shorts and t-shirts, but it’s smart to bring a light jacket or fleece too. Early mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cool, especially if you’re staying out to enjoy the views or until it closes.

If you’re visiting Crazy Horse in winter or during the chillier seasons, you’ll want to pack a few key items to stay warm and comfortable:

Crazy Horse Memorial Tours

If you are staying in Rapid City and don’t have a car, then make sure to take a tour to explore the Blackhill and see Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park.

Private Crazy Horse & Blackhills Tour: This private tour includes visiting Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. If you don’t want to drive or have flown into Rapid City and don’t have a car, then this is a great option for a day trip.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Black Hills: Enjoy taking to the skies and seeing the sunrise over the Black Hills of South Dakota, and seeing Custer State Park from a unique viewpoint.

Where to stay when visiting Crazy Horse Monument

There are lots of options of hotels near Crazy Horse Monument, from cute little towns in the Blackhills or Rapid City, just a short drive from the Blackhills.

The closest town to Crazy Horse is Custer and here a few options:

In Rapid City, these are good options:

You might also find these articles useful for planning your trip to Crazy Horse:

Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarch

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Don’t miss the Crazy Horse Laser Show