Ultimate Guide to Visiting Mount Rushmore: What to know before you go
Thinking about visiting Mount Rushmore as a solo female traveler? Then, you’re in the right place for advice on visiting South Dakota. As a woman traveling on her own, I totally get the mix of excitement and “okay, what should I actually expect here?” and “Is it safe here?”.
It might be one of America’s most famous landmarks, but experiencing it solo adds a whole different layer. From the quiet moments soaking in the massive granite faces to finding nearby spots that feel safe and welcoming, this guide is for you. Whether you’re road-tripping through the Black Hills or flying in for a quick getaway, here’s everything you need to know before exploring Mount Rushmore on your own.
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When is the Best time to visit Mount Rushmore
The best time of year, weather wise to visit Mount Rushmore is between May and October. The winters in South Dakota can be very cold with snow, though there are very few visitors, making it a unique experience.
In summer, it is hot and the summer months have the most number of visitors to the park, but if you visit in summe,r you will be able to visit the sculptor’s studio and see the evening lighting ceremony.
- Best time to visit Mount Rushmore
- Mount Rushmore in Winter
- Mount Rushmore in Spring
- Mount Rushmore Spring Break
- Mount Rushmore in Summer
- Mount Rushmore in Fall
- Mount Rushmore in January
- Mount Rushmore in February
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- Mount Rushmore in April
- Mount Rushmore in May
- Mount Rushmore in June
- Mount Rushmore in July
- 4th of July at Mount Rushmore
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- Mount Rushmore in September
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- Mount Rushmore in November
- Mount Rushmore in December
Top Things to do at Mount Rushmore
Mt Rushmore is a great place to visit with many things to do on your trip, whether you plan to visit for an hour or half a day. There are hikes that you can do, videos to watch, exhibitions to see, ranger talks to listen to, and in summer, a ceremony to watch as the lights are switched on, on the mountain.
Interesting Mount Rushmore Facts
The history of Mount Rushmore is very interesting, and if you are interested, it is something that you can learn a lot about during your trip to the memorial. There are exhibitions, films to watch, ranger talks, and books in the gift shop.
Fun Things to do near Mount Rushmore
The area of the Blackhills where Mount Rushmore is located is a stunning area and an area you need to make sure that you explore while you are in the area. Don’t just make it a quick trip to see Mount Rushmore, but extend your stay to have a few more days or a week to explore this area.
Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore
In the Blackhills of South Dakota, you will find many places to stay, hotels, and cozy bed and breakfasts in cute little towns. The closest town to Mount Rushmore is Keystone, located just 3 miles from the monument, with hotels, restaurants, and a few shops.
- Best place to stay near Mount Rushmore
- Cheap Hotels near Mt Rushmore
- Best places to stay in Keystone South Dakota
- Cheap Hotels in Keystone South Dakota
- Hill City Hotels
- Cheap Hotels in Hill City South Dakota
- Best Hotels in Rapid City
FAQ’s about Mount Rushmore
A: No, you cannot go inside the heads carved in the mountain. Originally, Gutzon Borglum planned to have a chamber behind the face of Abraham Lincoln that would house information about why the monument was built and about American history from 1776 to 1906.
In fact a 70-foot tunnel was built, but in 1939, Congress decided to stop the funding for this project. Nowadays the tunnel still exists, but it is not open to the public.
A: No, you cannot see Mount Rushmore from the parking lot, but once you walk up to the entrance and walk along the avenue of flags, you get your first glimpse of the president’s faces.
A: It is possible to see Mount Rushmore from the Iron Mountain road, while you are driving along it, and as you enter one of the tunnels, you will be able to see Mount Rushmore in the distance.
You can also see the profile of George Washington on Highway 244, and there is a place to pull in and park to get your pictures.
Also, as you are driving up Highway 244 from the east towards Mount Rushmore, you will find a few places that you can pull over and get a view of Mount Rushmore.
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Wow I d love to see Mount Rushmore. It seems so legendary. And the pics are really inviting
Never ever dreamed of visiting Mount Rushmore but the idea of a presidential trail does sound exciting. I also like the historical background you shared about the destination. Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic photos! Defitinely have to visit Mount Rushmore, it’s been on my bucket list for years! I have just moved to the states, so I can visit more places on road trips! yay! Thanks for sharing 🙂
How interesting!! I live in the US and have seen 100 photos here but had no idea that there’s a one mile walk/hike that you can do while there. That makes me want to go way more! Thanks for sharing
I can’t believe it is twenty years since I visited this place. The thing I remember the most from that day is the scorching heat in the desert. Everything was fine inside the car, but when we left the air-conditioned space the heat knocked us to the ground. Great post about Mount Rushmore. It is a cool monument 🙂
There is space on those cliffs for a Donald Trump figure isn’t there! I think I arrived here at sunrise and the parking was free at that time. I’m impressed with your photos you got some unique angles. I didn’t know about the walk, I wish I had done as I could have got some pics from those unique angles!
14 years to complete? Didn’t know that it’s such a long-term project (and quite an investment too)! It’s definitely a must-see road-trip destination. Will be really cool to see the evening’s lighting ceremony in the summer!
I am soon visiting USA and frankly Mount Rushmore wasn’t on my agenda. But after reading your post I guess I should rethink. Presidential trail looks so exciting to hike. Thanks for sharing.
Every time I read about Mount Rushmore’s National Memorial, I can’t believe the work behind carving the presidents in the mountain. I bet it would be cool to see it first hand even though it is smaller than expected. Neat fact about ice-cream becoming popular after Thomas Jefferson served it in the White House.
I’ve heard from others too that the presidents look smaller than you’d expect. Maybe it’s just because they are set so high up that they give the impression of being larger in photos. I hope to visit one day soon!
I’m dying to do a road trip through South Dakota, and Mount Rushmore is definitely on my list. I love that fact about Jefferson and the ice cream. What type of ice cream was it?
There were so many flavours to choose from!! I just had the original vanilla one 🙂
Mmmm vanilla is my favorite! Good choice 😉
I have always wanted to visit Mount Rushmore and wondered how you go about getting there. A road trip through South Dakota sounds like the perfect way. I always picture them to be really big but I am not surprised that they are smaller than you thought. I remember thinking the same thing about the white house. Thanks about the parking fee too, it is not too often people tell you that cost.
I’ve always wanted to go and see Mount Rushmore in person its one of those places you gotta check out. Seems like you had a great time.
I would so love to see Mount Rushmore up close, your pictures are incredible, and this is such a useful guide to getting there and seeing it. I bet it looks so different in person than it does on the films and TV
Really informative post! We’re actually doing a road trip around the USA in summer, and Mount Rushmore was on the list, after seeing these pictures I cannot wait to visit! The walk sounds challenging but that’s what I love, thanks for that tip too!
This is such a famous place – yes, I admit, mainly from the movies – and I hope I’ll visit it one day. Nothing compares to seeing it up close, I’m guessing. Lovely photos!
I love your pictures! Since I saw this place in the movie, I’ve been dreaming of visiting there. It’s a bit fun to know that it looks smaller in real life. Save your tips and will visit Mount Rushmore in the future!
I have always been curious in seeing this monument after seeing it in a couple of movies. It’s amazing that the monument is well-maintained. Great photos of the views and the tunnel!
You’re lucky! I wanted to visit Mount Rushmore when I lived in the US, and was planning to stay in Rapid City and see some more places in that part of the country before heading back to the south (I lived in Florida). Never made it there, though. It looks impressive, so I sure missed out!
One of our most bizarre national monuments, in my opinion! Looks like a great day trip.
I’ve seen so many pictures of Mount Rushmore but I’ve never actually seen any zoomed in ones like that. The detail in that Abraham Lincoln is kind of crazy! His eyes! I definitely want to do a US road trip and see things like this.
I love anything that is carved out of rock, especially profiles of people. This monument is world famous and i remember reading about it when i was at school all those years ago. Ive still notmanaged tovisit but maybe one day if i make it to the states again 🙂
I guess it’s one of those things you just “have to do” when you’re in the area. 🙂 I’d probably be more impressed by the surrounding nature! 🙂
I wonder why they didn’t carry on further with later Presidents? Maybe they ran out of space! Was it over-crowded with tourists or was there space to wander?
I think that the plan was only ever 4, as they felt they had contributed the most at that time. There weren’t many tourists there but then I was there in september.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial it’s quite an interesting place to visit with lots of history. Never knew about the ice-cream history by Thomas Jefferson. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for making me take a second look. Your photos are great, giving new perspectives not typically shown. Sounds like an interesting side trip on a journey across America.
The same than you, I always remember to see it on tv but to be honest never knew what it really means and the story behind it. Thanks for sharing it, interesting. 14 years to complete it is a lot but it is an amazing piece of art.
I’ve been to the Mt Rushmore NM, and I was surprised to see how small it is! Borglum was working on a similar, but bigger project here in Stone Mountain (Atlanta) when he decided to move on with his life, moved to South Dakota, and completed the Mt. Rushmore instead. Stone Mountain is about 3 times larger than Mt. Rushmore!
Thanks for sharing – I hope to be able to revisit S. Dakota again soon, especially to see how far they have been progressing with the Crazy Horse.
I went to Crazy Horse too, I can’t believe how big that one is compared. Blog post coming on that soon 🙂
Really can’t help but find Mount Rushmore impressive. The feat of humanity. Your photographs are beautiful by the way. I have never seen it photographed from that angle and so close-up
Those heads….magnificent sculptures. I have seen pics if this location many times but had no idea where they are. Now I know 🙂
It always makes me think of the cover of Deep Purple’ album! 😀 Love this landmark, it truly is a fine monument to the country. Nice photos too. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t been to Mt. Rushmore before, but I’ve heard it’s kind of anticlimactic. It’s cool that you were able to see it and it sounds like you enjoyed your time! I did not know that little tidbit about ice cream though! I would have been pretty pumped to try his recipe 🙂
Its not as big as you expect and there isn’t too much to do there, but its worth seeing if you are in the area 🙂
Thank you for the detailed post on Mt. Rushmore. It’s one of those things that’s always been my bucket list to visit but I haven’t managed to get to SD yet. How long did you spend in SD?
I spent nearly a week in South Dakota seeing different places and staying with friends. Had a great time 🙂
Looks very pretty there. Looks like you had a good time 🙂
I’ve seen those faces before but had no idea they were here. Great read about a place I didn’t know anything about.
What an impressive site, this is sth I would like to see by myself. Like you, I did not know about the site’s story so thanks! By the way, what is the flavor of T. Jefferson ice cream?
You can get any flavour you want, though the original is vanilla.
Can you do any hiking up to the heads? That would be really fun!
No you can’t hike anywhere near the heads, the presidents trail is as near as you can get.
Mount Rushmore has always been near the top of my bucket-list, though I’m not sure if I’ll be disappointed when I get there. That being said, this post will help me to envision how to get there, and how to best approach it! Thanks a ton!