Visiting Mount Rushmore in February
Planning on visiting Mount Rushmore and thinking about making a trip to Mount Rushmore in February, then find everything here that you need to know, from what the weather is like, to the opening hours and what you can do in Mount Rushmore in February.
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Weather at Mount Rushmore in February
The weather in February in Mount Rushmore, can be quite nice in February though the temperatures can vary considerably. On average there are about 4 days of snow in February, though during the day it can be sunny.
Temperatures range from highs of 64.5°F (18°C) to lows of -14°F (-26°C), which is a huge contrast. On a evening expect it to be overcast with even fog early morning, just make sure to be prepared for all types of weather with many layers.
Is Mount Rushmore open in February?
Mount Rushmore is open in February and all year round, the open day it is closed is the 25th December, though the car park and grounds are open for you to walk around.
Depending on the weather you may find that the presidential trail is closed due to snow or ice.
In February the sculptors studio is closed and there is no evening lighting ceremony though the memorial is lit up from sunset until 9pm.
Is February a good time to visit Mount Rushmore?
February can be a good time to visit Mount Rushmore as there are fewer people visiting at this time of year, though if you do visit in February, you will be unable to visit the sculptors studio, there is no evening lighting ceremony and the presidential trail could be closed due to snowfall.
Opening hours of Mt Rushmore in February
In February Mt Rushmore is operating under its winter hours as the days are still short with sunrise at 7.10am at the start of the month but by the end of the month it is at 6.30am and sunset at 5pm at the start of the month and 5.40pm by the end of the month.
In February, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open as follows:
Parking structure and Memorial Grounds – Open at 7am and close at 9pm.
The Information Center & Lincoln Borglum Center is open from 8am to 5pm.
The Gift Shop is open from 8am to 8pm and Carver’s Cafe is open from 8am to 4.30pm.
The sculptors studio is closed throughout February and there is no Evening Lighting Ceremony in February, though the memorial is lit up each night from sunset to 9pm.
How long do I need to visit Mount Rushmore in February
This really depends on how much you want to do at Mount Rushmore, in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center there is a museum explaining the history of the site and there is also a film that you can watch showing you the construction of the faces and the reason why, this is definitely worth watching, if you don’t know the history of why Mount Rushmore was built.
Even in February you can easily spend 2-3 hours at Mount Rushmore, even if the presidential trail is closed and if the presidential trail is open you will want to allow a little more time.
Carver’s Cafe is also a great place to stop and have something to eat before you leave the park and continue on with your trip.
Is the Presidential Trail open in February?
The Presidential Trail is open in February, though it can be closed due to snow and ice and it will be decided on the day by the park rangers whether or not it is safe to have open or not. As the temperatures do drop below freezing overnight at this time of year, you can expect early mornings to be cold and freezing, though later in the day the trail could be open.
Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore in February
The closest big city to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City which is a 30 minute drive from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore, or you can choose to stay in one of the very small towns close to Mount Rushmore.
The closest town and best place to stay near Mount Rushmore is Keystone, which is just 3 miles from the entrance of the National Memorial.
There are many cute towns close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park in the Blackhills that you can stay at during your trip to South Dakota.
What to wear in February at Mount Rushmore
As you read above, the weather in Mount Rushmore can vary considerably in February, so it is best to wear layers that you can remove during the day if it gets warm.
The mornings and late afternoons can be quite cool so make sure to have warm clothes with you, that you can remove when you are inside the cafe or visitors center.
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