Arguably one of the most famous and world-renowned tourists traps within the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is something that most people learn about early in school. Featuring the iconic faces of four notable U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson, it sits at an elevation of 5,725 feet above sea level in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Located approximately just 35 minutes outside Rapid City, it makes for an easy day trip or even a simple morning/afternoon/evening visit. The top tourist attraction of South Dakota, it draws more than 2 million visitors annually, making Mount Rushmore a popular pilgrimage destination for many Americans (and beyond).
Carved out of the granite mountainside between 1927 and 1941, and designed by sculptors Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum, Mount Rushmore was specifically chosen for its southeast-facing location, allowing maximum sun exposure. The four presidents were selected to symbolize the birth (Washington), growth (Jefferson), development (Roosevelt), and preservation (Lincoln) of the nation. The idea initially came from historian Doane Robinson, who originally envisioned figures from the American West, like Lewis & Clark, Buffalo Bill Cody, Red Cloud, and Crazy Horse. However, the Borglums said “nah” and opted for the four presidents instead. Several later Presidents and notable U.S. figures have been suggested for addition to Mount Rushmore, including Susan B. Anthony, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. None have made the cut.
Although Mount Rushmore is a well-known and prominent U.S. landmark, it remains controversial due to the fact that the land it occupies was allegedly illegally taken from the Sioux Nation in the 1870s. To this very day, the Sioux demand the return of the land. However, their efforts have had little to no effect, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1980 that only financial compensation was owed, awarding the tribe $102 million. The Sioux refused the money, standing firm in their demand for the land’s return. This controversy has led some critics to refer to Mount Rushmore as the “Shrine of Hypocrisy.”
The sculpting of Mount Rushmore began in the 1920s, following South Dakota’s establishment as a U.S. state and its rise as a popular road trip destination, thanks to nearby attractions like the Black Hills, Wind Cave National Park, and Needles Highway. Carving commenced in October 1927 and spanned 14 years, concluding in October 1941. Over 400 workers contributed to the creation of the monumental 60-foot-high carvings, with no fatalities reported. During its construction, the National Park Service took over its management, and in 1966, Mount Rushmore was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush officially dedicated the site.
While Mount Rushmore is undeniably a popular tourist destination, I personally found it a tad overrated. For one, in books or online it looks much larger in pictures. While it’s still impressive to see in person, it can be somewhat underwhelming when you realize how small the faces actually are (similar to what I’ve heard about the Mona Lisa). That being said, don’t let the size deter you from visiting. While parking only costs $10, memorabilia at the gift shop is significantly more expensive than what you’d typically find at other national monuments or parks and the food at the food court is also quite pricey. You could easily end up spending $50 to visit the memorial for just 15-30 minutes.
In addition to the main memorial, there is the Presidential Trail, a short but somewhat challenging 0.6-mile path that leads from the Grand View Terrace to viewing areas at the base of the mountain. The first 0.2 miles are paved, but the remaining 0.4 miles consist of stairs, which lead away from the mountain (and faces of the memorial) and involve significant uphill climbing. The trail takes approximately 20 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on skill level, and is open only when weather permits, typically closing during winter. Pets are not allowed on the trail or inside the memorial grounds.
Another highlight is the Sculptor’s Studio, where visitors can learn more about Gutzon Borglum, the carving process, and view the scale model of Mount Rushmore. Additionally, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center offers a gift shop, a theater playing a 14-minute film about the reasons and methods behind the carving, and a small museum with various exhibits.
Mount Rushmore is open year-round, seven days a week, with all visitor facilities open, except on December 25th. On Christmas Day, the park remains open, but all buildings are closed. It’s important to note that operating hours for the parking structure and memorial grounds vary widely depending on the time of year. From November 1st to March 9th, hours are 7am to 9pm; from March 10th to September 30th, hours are 5am to 11pm; and from October 1st to October 31st, hours are 5am to 9pm.
Other facilities, such as the visitor centers, Sculptor’s Studio, self-guided tour building, gift shops, Carver’s Café, and ice cream shop, all have varying hours depending on the season. Additionally, even the sculpture illumination and evening lighting program have varying hours based on the time of year. It’s best to check the National Park Service website for up-to-date information before visiting – https://www.nps.gov/moru/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Overall, while Mount Rushmore is likely on your list of must-see places, particularly if you live in the USA, I would not recommend making it your sole travel destination when visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s a wonderful stop on a larger comprehensive travel itinerary, but it’s not large enough to be the only reason for your trip. On the upside, since it only takes about an hour to fully enjoy what Mount Rushmore has to offer, you’ll have plenty of time to explore other nearby attractions like Deadwood, South Dakota: Entertaining Guests Since 1876., Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Devils Tower National Monument. in Wyoming. The bottom line – Mount Rushmore is definitely worth visiting, but make sure it’s just one stop along a more extensive adventure!