Spend A Day at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States. Located in South Dakota's Black Hills, the monument features the 60-foot-tall faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, all carved into the granite mountainside. 

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began work on the memorial in 1927, finally completing it in 1941. Today, millions of visitors travel to Mount Rushmore to learn about its history, admire the craftsmanship behind the monument, and explore the attractions located throughout the memorial grounds. 

Whether you're interested in history, hiking, photography, or shopping for souvenirs, you’ll find plenty of things to do at Mount Rushmore.

Experience The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center

The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center is one of the best places to begin your visit to Mount Rushmore. Named after sculptor Gutzon Borglum's son, who helped oversee the project, the visitor center provides valuable insight into the creation of the monument and the people who made it possible. 

Spending time here before exploring the rest of the memorial helps visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the scale and complexity of the project.

Museum Exhibits

Explore exhibits that detail the history of Mount Rushmore, including photographs, artifacts, tools, and construction equipment used during the carving process.

Educational Displays

Learn about the lives and accomplishments of the four presidents featured on the monument and why they were selected for the memorial.

Historic Films

Watch short films that explain how Mount Rushmore was designed and constructed, including the engineering challenges workers faced while carving the granite mountain.

Observation Opportunities

The visitor center provides excellent vantage points and information that help visitors identify key features of the memorial before heading outside.

Visit The Sculptor's Studio

Originally constructed in 1939, the Sculptor's Studio served as Gutzon Borglum's workshop during the final years of the Mount Rushmore project. Borglum used the space to create scale models, review plans, and oversee work on the mountain. 

Today, the studio allows visitors to step behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of how the monument was designed and built.

View the Original Scale Model

One of the studio's highlights is the original scale model used by Borglum and his team during the planning process. The model reveals details that were intended for the memorial but never completed.

Learn About the Carving Process

Interpretive exhibits explain how workers used dynamite, drills, and hand tools to carve the faces into solid granite.

Attend Ranger Talks

During the operating season, park rangers often present programs that discuss the monument's history, construction techniques, and the people involved in the project.

Hike in Mount Rushmore

Several trails allow visitors to experience Mount Rushmore beyond the main viewing plaza. These routes provide additional perspectives of the monument while showcasing the surrounding Black Hills landscape.

The Presidential Trail

The Presidential Trail is the park's most popular hiking route because it brings visitors closer to the monument than any other trail within the memorial.

• Best Times to Hike: Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures and lighter crowds, while early mornings and evenings provide comfortable hiking conditions during summer.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The trail includes several sets of stairs and some elevation changes.
• Duration: Approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on pace and sightseeing stops.
• Destination: The trail loops around the base of the monument and offers numerous close-up views of Mount Rushmore.
• Trail Amenities: Restrooms, parking, drinking fountains, and visitor services are available near the trail's starting area at the Grand View Terrace.

The Blackberry Trail

The Blackberry Trail is popular among visitors looking for a quieter hiking experience and an opportunity to explore the surrounding forest environment.

• Best Times to Hike: Spring, summer, and fall are ideal, with mornings often providing the most comfortable temperatures and best wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The trail contains uneven terrain, natural surfaces, and some elevation changes.
• Duration: Approximately one hour for most hikers.
• Destination: The trail connects portions of the Presidential Trail and offers scenic views of the Black Hills forest.
• Trail Amenities: Parking, restrooms, and visitor facilities are available at the main memorial complex before accessing the trail system.
  

Explore the Rushmore Gift Shop

Before leaving the national memorial, many visitors stop by the Mount Rushmore Gift Shop to pick up souvenirs and commemorative items. The shop offers a wide selection of products that celebrate both the memorial and the history of the Black Hills. Some of these items include:

• Mount Rushmore apparel
• Books, postcards, and collectible magnets
• Educational toys and children's activity books
• Presidential-themed gifts and memorabilia
• Locally made crafts and specialty items
• Coffee mugs, drinkware, and home décor
• National park collectibles and keepsakes
  

End Your Day at Rockerville Lodge & Cabins

After exploring the beauty and history of Mount Rushmore, come back to Rockerville Lodge & Cabins in Rockerville, SD, to relax and unwind. Choose from one of our regular rooms, lodge suites, or our full-service cabins and enjoy our comfortable accommodations.

Our amenities include firepits, a seasonal splash pad, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a fresh homemade breakfast each morning. We’re also just 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore and a short drive from other local attractions.

Book your reservation today!