A Guide to the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
In South Dakota, the top thing is visiting Mount Rushmore, with over 2.5 million people visiting every year and many of those people staying to watch the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony.
Mount Rushmore is a National Memorial that has been open to the public since 1941 and is free to enter, though you do need to pay for parking.
Here you will see the heads of 4 presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into the mountain and you can learn about these presidents and the people who carved them into the mountain in the visitor centre and the sculptors studio.
One of the highlights is the Mount Rushmore evening lighting ceremony, though you will find it is generally not crowded as many people just come take a few photos during the day and then leave before the show.
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When is the Mount Rushmore lighting ceremony held?
The lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore starts each year the Friday before Memorial Day (Memorial Day is on the last Monday of May) and runs until the 30th September every year.
What time is the lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore
The Mt Rushmore evening lighting ceremony in 2025, will start at 9pm with the mountain lit up from 9.30pm to 11pm. From August 10, to September 30, the lighting ceremony will begin at 8pm with the mountain lit from 8.30pm to 11pm.
How long is the lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore?
The lighting ceremony at mount rushmore lasts just over 30 minutes, though it is only in the last few minutes that you will see the lights turn on and the presidents start to light up.
The ceremony starts just before the sunsets with a talk from one of the park rangers.
What happens at the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony?
At the lighting ceremony you will hear a talk given by one of the park rangers about the presidents at Mount Rushmore, patriotism and the history of the USA.
After the talk by the ranger, you will see a short film called “Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy”, which is about the creators, carvers of Mount Rushmore, and what the 4 presidents depict.
As the video finishes you will see the lights starting to get brighter onto the 4 presidents until they are fully lit up.
At the end of the film veterans are welcomed onto the stage, with a few selected to help lower and fold the American flag.
Do they light up Mt Rushmore at night?
Mount Rushmore is lit up every night of the year even when there is no lighting ceremony. From October until the end of May you can see Mount Rushmore lit up, though there is no lighting ceremony.
Mount Rushmore is lit up from sunset until 9pm from 1st October to 9th March.
10th March until 30th September – It is lit up from sunset or after the lighting ceremony until 11pm.
Is the Mount Rushmore lighting ceremony worth it?
If you want to learn about the history of Mount Rushmore and to see the Presidents lit up at night, then it is worth staying for. A lot of veterans also like to be at this service, so it can be moving to watch.
I think if you are American and patriotic then you would enjoy this ceremony and even as a tourist it is enjoyable seeing the history and the veterans climb onto the stage at the end.
If this does not interest and you want something a bit more lively then consider visiting the Crazy Horse laser show, which is on nightly throughout summer at sunset and is only a 35 minute drive away from Mount Rushmore. *PLEASE NOTE: At the end of the 2023 season the Crazy horse evening light show was cancelled, at the moment no alternative has been advised.*
How many people visit Mount Rushmore
In 2023 there were over 3.25 million visitors to Mount Rushmore, with summer being the months with the highest number of visitors. The busiest month is July with 844,000 visitors in 2023 and the weekend of 4th July being the busiest days of the year.
Tour of Mount Rushmore
If you are in the area and want to see Mount Rushmore but don’t have a car then consider taking a tour from Rapid City where you will be able to see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park.
What to pack to visit Mount Rushmore
What you pack for a visit to Mount Rushmore will depend on the time of year.
During summer, the weather is usually warm and sunny, perfect for wearing light, breathable clothes like shorts and t-shirts. It’s still wise to bring a light jacket or fleece, as mornings and evenings can be cooler, especially if you’re staying to watch the lighting ceremony.
- T-shirt with UPF 50+ protection
- light fleece
- Shorts
- Hiking Shoes
- Day Backpack
- Sun Hat
- Mosquito Spray
- Lipbalm
- Sunscreen
If you’re visiting Mount Rushmore in winter or during the colder months, be sure to bring along a few key items to stay warm and comfortable while exploring the monument:
Where to stay near Mount Rushmore
If you are planning to watch the lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore, then you might not want to drive far afterwards as it will be dark. There are many small towns close Mount Rushmore where you can stay.
The closest town to Mount Rushmore is Keystone, which is just 3 miles away. Here you have quite a few options for hotels:
- Comfort Inn – Located in the center of Keystone
- K Bar S Lodge – Premium hotel located just outside Keystone
- Roosevelt Inn – Budget Inn, close to the center of Keystone
If you are still trying to decide whether to visit Mount Rushmore, you might find these guides useful:
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