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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Keystone, SD

National Parks
4 (5 reviews)

Where are we going?

Address: Presidential Trail, Keystone, SD 57751, USA How do we get there? Number: 605 574-2523
Image copyright remains with original owners Attractions in Keystone All Photo
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About this activity

We KNOW you have all seen images of those iconic faces in the rocks, that's Mount Rushmore National Monument!

Mount Rushmore National Monument is probably the most visited place in South Dakota, and when you get there you will see why! It's impressive! The monument itself is craved by hand and dynamite out of granite and represents the first 150 years of USA history with the heads of four former presidents looking out over you.

Here's a quiz kids - do you know who the presidents are? If you don't know - there's the first great reason to head down there to learn all about the history!

The faces are a mammoth 18m / 60ft in height - can you imagine how long that will have taken to create! Well, lucky for you there is the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center which you should allow some time in, as there not only are exhibits on the history of Mount Rushmore National Monument, but there is also a fascinating 14 minute film that you can watch all about how and why the monument was created!

If you have a little more time, and it is well worth it (and kids will have a great time!) you can actually walk the Presidential Trail, which takes you just over half a mile around the sculpture, so you can really get up close and see all the detail that has gone into making it, AND you might even spot some wildlife!

 Of course, there is always a master behind something like this, and Gutzon Borglum was that man in this case! You can visit his studio, and see where he spent a LOT of his time refining his scale model (kids - you can get some inspiration for your next art project!)

Make sure you visit this icon - it's a great family day out! 

Activity location

Directions

Car Visitors traveling on I-90 should exit at Rapid City and follow 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.

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How much does it cost?

Hilton

Adults

Memorial is free, but parking is $11 per vehicle.

Hilton

Children

Same as adult

Hilton

Last Updates

2023

Mount Rushmore National Memorial FAQ’s

The Carvers Cafe is an option to stop and grab some lunch for the day

Keep an eye out for the ranger walks and talks! Or you can pay for an audio tour.

Of course there is a gift shop! Make sure you stop by to pick up some pretty cool gifts all about this amazing feat of mankind!

If you do want to bring the students down, just give them a call to see what they can help you organize!

Make sure you bring plenty of bottled water for the day!

All facilities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial are wheelchair accessible, and there is handicapped parking available. They also have wheelchairs to use free of charge at the info center.

They have lighting ceremonies in the evenings! Try and hang around to check these out!

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