Mount Rushmore in November
Thinking of visiting Mount Rushmore and wondering if Mount Rushmore in November is a good idea. Wondering what the weather will be like in the park at this time, whether it will be too cold or not, then make sure to read on to find out that, plus what there is open in the park to do in November and how many visitors the park has in November.
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Mt Rushmore Weather in November
During the day the average high in the park is 46°F (8°C) and on a night it can drop as low as 28°F (-2°C). In November 2023 the average in the park was 37°F (3°C), though the highest recorded temperature that month was 75°F (24°C) and the lowest recorded temperature on an evening was 14°F (-10°C).
November is one of the driest times in the park with only 2 days of rain expected in this month. The days are much shorter at this time of year though with sunset around 4.30pm.
Is Mount Rushmore open in November?
Yes, Mount Rushmore is open in November, though less is open than in Summer. The Sculptors Studio closed at the end of the September and will reopen in May and there is no lighting ceremony on an evening, though the mountain is lit up from sunset until 9pm.
Mt Rushmore Opening Hours in November
In November the parking structure and grounds officially start their winter hours and will be open from 7am to 9pm, with the visitor center and information center open from 8am to 5pm. Sunrise in the park starts the month at 6.30am but by the end of the month it is at 7.10am, so you won’t really want to get to the park much earlier than 7am anyway, as you won’t be able to see much.
In November there is no evening lighting ceremony and the sculptors studio is closed but you will be able to see the mountain lit up from sunset, which is between 4.40pm and 4.20pm for the month until 9pm.
The gift shop is open from 8am to 6pm if you need somewhere to warm up after seeing the mountain lit up and the cafe is open from 8am to 4.30pm, so you can grab a hot drink to keep you warm as you watch the sunset.
Is November a good time to visit Mount Rushmore?
November can be a good time to visit Mount Rushmore as there are not many visitors to the park in November, also as you read above, the temperature during the day can be quite pleasant. If you plan to visit during the day and stay to see the mountain lit up, you may need to make sure you have an extra layer of clothing to keep warm, but it should be quite dry.
Is Mount Rushmore busy in November?
November isn’t the quietest month of the year, but it is very quiet compared to summer. In November 2023 there were 47,961 visitors to the park and in November 2022 there were 54,555 people visiting.
How long do I need to visit Mount Rushmore in November?
In November you will need less time to visit the park than in summer, as the sculptors studio is closed and there is no lighting ceremony. It is still possible to hike the presidential trail so you will need to plan time for that and watching the video about the monument in the visitors center. I would plan to spend 1-2 hours there, though if you go in the afternoon you may want to stay and watch the mountain lit up.
Is the Presidential Trail open in November?
The Presidential Trail is open all year round, though it is possible that the trail is closed due to ice in November. Part of the trail is covered with wooden stairs which can get very slippery when covered in ice, so it is possible that you may not be able to do the hike in November.
Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore in November?
If you are wanting to stay close to Mount Rushmore when you are visiting the Blackhills then the closest town to Mount Rushmore is Keystone and is located just 3 miles from the Monument. It has lots of hotels and restaurants for you to choose from. Alternatively there are many small towns throughout the Blackhills that have accommodation too.
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