Memorial · NPS · SD
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Photo: NPS Photo, Mount Rushmore Summer Sky
Alerts and conditions
Overview
Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Food
- Dining
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Plan your visit
Hours
Mount Rushmore grounds - early March through September 30: Weather permitting, the grounds at Mount Rushmore are open every day of the year. The Information Center, Visitor Center, Gift Shop and Carvers' Cafe are open every day except December 25th.
Getting there
Visitors traveling by car from the East use Exit 61 off I-90 and follow the signs for Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Coming from the West use exit 57 exit at Rapid City and follow U.S. Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Visitors coming from the south should follow Highway 385 north to Highway 244, which is the road leading to the Memorial.
Visitor centers
Weather
Weather at Mount Rushmore can be highly variable in any season. Summer high temperatures range from 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall high temperatures range from 45 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter high temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring high temperatures range from 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, July and August are the warmest months and January and February are the coldest. March and April receive the most snow, while May and June receive the most rain.
Phone: 6055742523
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
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Pair it with
- Norbeck Wildlife Preserve National Game Refuge USFS · 3 miles
- Black Hills National Forest USFS · 16 miles
- Wind Cave National Park NPS · 20 miles
- Jewel Cave National Monument NPS · 22 miles
- Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 40 miles
- Badlands National Park NPS · 50 miles