Mount Rushmore in August

Planning on visiting Mount Rushmore this summer and thinking of seeing Mount Rushmore in August, then make sure to read on to find out, how many visitors Mt Rushmore has in August, the opening hours, what to do during your visit and what weather to expect in August.

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Mt Rushmore Weather in August

August is a hot month in the park, though not quite as hot as July, from now on it will start to get cooler. The average maximum temperature during the day is 82°F (28°C) and on an evening the average is 59°F (15°C), though the memorial has seen days with temperatures as high as 97°F (36°C) in August and lows as low as 39°F (4°C) at night, though those are of course quite extreme.

The amount of days of rain at the national memorial is still 9 days during the month, though the average amount of rainfall has fallen and is less than the previous 3 months, though it is still the 4th wettest month of the year.

Mount Rushmore opening hours in August

In August the opening hours of the parking and grounds is the same as all summer and it is open from 5am to 11pm. The opening hours though of the visitor center and information center do change in August. From August 1 to August 10 they are open from 8am to 10pm, but on August 11 this changes to 8am to 9pm.

The hours of the sculptors studio changes in August too, with the studio open from 8am to 8pm from August 1 to August 10 and then on August 11, this changes to 8am to 4pm.

The gift shop is open August 1 to August 10 from 8am to 10.30pm and then from August 11 from 8am to 9.30pm. Carvers Cafe also changes it’s opening hours, August 1 to August 10, from 9am to 9pm and on August 11 it changes to 9am to 8pm.

The evening light show operates August 1 to August 10 at 9pm with the mountain being lit from 9.30pm to 11pm, this changes on August 11 when the ceremony starts at 8pm, with the mountain being lit up from 8.30pm to 11pm.

Is August a good time to visit Mount Rushmore?

August can be a good time to visit Mount Rushmore, it isn’t quite as hot as July but has nearly 200,000 fewer visitors than in July. All the attractions at Mount Rushmore are open, so you won’t miss anything by visiting in August, apart from the larger crowds!! There is also less rain in August, making it one of the better months of summer to visit.

The second half of the month is normally a lot quieter than the first half of the month, as most children return to school in the middle of August.

Is Mount Rushmore crowded in August?

August is the 3rd busiest month of the year with 624,104 people visiting in August 2023 and 608,272 people visiting in August 2022. This though is much less than the 844,000 people who visited Mt Rushmore in July 2023 and less than the number who visited in June.

Expect the first half of the month to be busier than the second half of the month as the kids are still on school holidays and people are fitting in trips before the children return to school. If you are able to travel in the second half of August, you will see fewer people at the memorial.

How long do I need to visit Mount Rushmore in August?

In August as everything is open I would recommend 2-3 hours to see everything within the national memorial, though if you want to take your time, you make need longer.
If you plan on waiting till the evening to see the lighting ceremony then you will need longer and if you intend to get something to eat in Carvers Cafe then you will need a bit more time.

Can I walk the Presidential Trail in August?

The Presidential Trail is open in August and can be a nice breather from the heat, if you visit on a hot day. The area where the wooden steps are there are a lot of trees and shelter and this is perfect for cooling down.

If you do visit on a day though where it is raining, then you will need to be careful on the steps going down to the sculptors studio as there can get slippery.

If you want to avoid the heat of the day, then the earlier you can do this hike in the day, the cooler it will be.

What is the best city to stay in when visiting Mount Rushmore?

The closest city to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City which is just a 30 minutes drive from Mount Rushmore. Whether you have flown into Rapid City or caught the bus to Rapid City, it is better for you to rent a car from Rapid City so that you can explore the Blackhills at your own pace.

Personally I would just stay in Rapid City until you have picked up a car, and then choose one of the beautiful quaint towns in the Blackhills to stay, the closest town to Mount Rushmore is Keystone which is just 3 miles away. Though depending where you are heading next, you could choose to stay in Custer or if you are heading north, then Deadwood at the edge of the Blackhills.

What to wear when visiting Mount Rushmore in August

If you are planning on visiting Mount Rushmore in August, then make sure to be using plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat. You may wish to be covered to make sure that you don’t get burnt or be wearing thin breathable clothing.

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