Mount Rushmore in October
Are you thinking of visiting Mount Rushmore and trying to decide whether Mount Rushmore in October is a good month to visit. Well in this article we will be looking at what the weather is like at this time of year and what you can and can’t do in October in Mount Rushmore.
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Weather at Mount Rushmore in October
In October we see the temperatures drop considerably, though on average there are only 3 days of rain in October, making it one of the driest months of the year.
On average the daily temperature at Mount Rushmore is 57°F (14°C) during the day and 37°F (3°C) on a night. Though in the past there have been temperatures recorded during the day of 84°F (29°C) and on an evening as low as 0°F (-18°C).
If you are planning to visit early morning or on an evening to see the mountain lit up, then make sure to take appropriate warm clothing as you will need to walk from the park entrance, along the avenue of flags to the grand terrace where you will have a view of the presidents on the mountain.
Is Mount Rushmore open in October?
Mount Rushmore is open in October, though from October 1st, the Sculptors Studio is closed until May. The grounds and car park are open from 5am to 9pm, though the evening lighting ceremony stopped at the end of September, it is still possible to see the mountain lit up from sunset until 9pm.
Opening Hours of Mount Rushmore in October
In October the grounds of Mount Rushmore and car park are open from 5am to 9pm, though the visitors center, gift shop and cafe do not open until 8am.
At the end of September we saw the Sculptors Studio close for the season and it will reopen in May.
The visitors center is open from 8am to 6pm, with the Gift Shop open from 8am to 8pm, though from October 17th, it will close at 7pm. The Cafe is open from 8am to 6pm but from the 17th October it will close at 5pm.
There is no evening lighting ceremony in October, as it ended for the season at the end of September, but the mountain will be lit from sunset until 9pm.
Is October a good time to visit Mount Rushmore?
October can be a good time to visit Mount Rushmore, if you want to visit when there are fewer people and before the weather turns freezing. If you do visit in October you will find though that the sculptors studio is no longer open and there is no evening lighting ceremony.
Is Mount Rushmore busy in October?
By October we see the number of visitors reducing significantly, with over 50% less visitors compared to September. In October 2023 we saw 150,000 visitors to Mount Rushmore, though there are still 5 months of the year over winter that have lower numbers than in October, with the lowest month being January 2024 when there were only just over 20,000 visitors to the park.
How long do I need to visit Mount Rushmore in October
In October you may still need a few hours to see and do everything in the park, you can visit the visitors center and museum and watch the film about the construction of Mount Rushmore, which is very interesting.
You will also need time to walk the Presidential Trail, and even though it is only a 1 mile roundtrip, you will need extra time, as you will keep stopping to look up at the monument or to take pictures.
If you visit early morning, then I would recommend returning on an evening once it is dark, so that you can see the mountain lit up at night, as it a great sight to see.
Is the Presidential Trail open in October?
The Presidential Trail is open in October and generally it does not close in October, though there have been occasions where the temperatures have dropped below freezing on an evening and because of the ice the trail has been temporarily closed until it melts.
Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore in October
The nearest biggest city to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City, though there are many beautiful small towns throughout the Blackhills of South Dakota. If you are planning on doing a road trip and visiting a few of the attractions in the Blackhills, then I would recommend staying in one of the small towns near Mount Rushmore.
Keystone is the closest town to Mount Rushmore and is set up for tourists, with many restaurants and hotels and it can be easy here to find the best place to stay near Mount Rushmore for you.
What to wear when visiting Mount Rushmore in October
If you are visiting Mount Rushmore in October, then you need to make sure to wrap up warm, as the early mornings and evenings can be very cool. Make sure to wear layers than you can remove or put back on, so that you don’t get cold.
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