Planning a trip to Mount Rushmore? Then all the travel tips you need to enjoy your vacation to this famous historical monument can be found in this ultimate travel guide video! From the presidential trail to where to park and the best photo ops, all you need to know can be found in this 10 minute video!
Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to South Dakota
0:29 Driving & Map of the Black Hills
1:40 Parking Tips
1:50 Entrance
2:13 Avenue of Flags
2:39 Grand View Terrace
3:13 Presidential Trail / Hike
5:26 Sculptor's Studio
7:41 Favorite Photo Ops
8:21 Jefferson's Ice Cream
9:07 More + Washington's Profile
9:36 Conclusion
Script: In this video, I’ll be covering everything you need to know about visiting Mount Rushmore!
First, from parking to secret views to hiking trails and even special ice cream, let’s have an adventure! But wait… how do you get there? Through amazing tunnels and scenic roads, of course! More on those later.
If you’re driving from Rapid City, it’s about 30-45 minutes to the National Memorial. The park entrance is free, but parking isn’t. It’s $10 for most vehicles and motorcycles, $5 if you're over 62, and free for active-duty military. Parking can be confusing since they don’t direct you to specific lots, but the furthest one is usually closest. Electric vehicle drivers will find six Level 2 charging stations.
Here’s the tricky part: parking payment. You’ll need your ticket, as kiosks are located near the gift shop, café, and entrance pergola. The parking permit is good for one year, so hold onto it if you plan to return. Note: National Park passes don’t work here because you’re paying for parking, not park entrance.
As you pass under the second pergola, you’ll find yourself at the entrance: the Avenue of Flags in front, the gift shop to the left, and food to the right. Let’s head to the Avenue of Flags, which was created in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial. The flags represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the U.S.
Random Facts:
Mount Rushmore is open 365 days a year.
The largest crowds tend to gather midday, especially on weekends.
At the end of the Avenue, you’ll reach the Grand View Terrace-and yes, it’s grand! It’s the perfect spot for a photo, but stay tuned for another great photo opportunity later. Don’t hesitate to ask park rangers or others to take your picture; they’re usually very friendly!
Now that we’ve done the basics, it's time to decide: Do you want to walk the half-mile Presidential Trail, visit the Sculptor’s Studio, check out the gift shop, or grab a bite? We’ll do it in the order we did, so onward to the Presidential Trail!
Start the trail from the left, walking clockwise. It’s a 0.6-mile trail with specific viewpoints for each president. The first 0.2 miles is accessible, and the final 0.4 miles feature 422 stairs. The trick is to walk clockwise, so you’re going down the stairs instead of up. Trust me, it’s much easier!
The first viewpoint is for George Washington, nicely framed between two boulders. It’s a popular stop, but a great view.
You’ll then come to a fork: one path leads to Thomas Jefferson, and the other to the stairs. Let’s take Jefferson first! After reaching a dead end, turn around and head down the stairs.
Next up is the Sculptor’s Studio! It feels a bit like a back entrance, but it's the right way. Here, you can learn about Borglum’s techniques, see a 1/12th scale model, and hear ranger talks. Why these four presidents?
George Washington: Representing the birth of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson: Author of the Declaration of Independence and key in the Louisiana Purchase, symbolizing growth.
Theodore Roosevelt: Known for trust-busting, representing development.
Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the nation through the Civil War and abolition of slavery.
After that, you’ll hit the final leg of the trail, which has the most stairs going up. Take it slow and keep an eye out for a cool marker along the way.
There’s one more turnout to view Mount Rushmore, but it’s not worth the extra walk. Keep going! Now, let’s get some ice cream!
The ice cream here is made from Thomas Jefferson’s recipe. A two-scoop cone costs $7.50, or $8.00 with Jefferson's vanilla recipe. A waffle cone is $9.00. It’s a decent size, especially for a tourist spot. (And yes, a chipmunk will try to steal your ice cream!) There’s also food at Carver’s Marketplace, which has indoor seating.
When you’re ready to leave, take one last drive around the monument for a different angle-check out George Washington’s profile from the left side. There's a large parking lot for RVs, too!
But don’t worry, your adventure isn’t over. The Black Hills, Rapid City, the Badlands, are all waiting to be explored. Stay tuned for more travel guides on the Black Hills and South Dakota! Safe travels, and see you next time, my friends!
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