Mount Rushmore National Memorial
What trip to the Black Hills would be complete without a stop at Mount Rushmore? Be sure to plan a stop at the iconic memorial and explore the history of its construction. We drove to Mount Rushmore after our stop at Bear Country USA. It’s about a 30 minute drive from there. Once we were done, we headed out to Jewel Cave National Monument. If you’re heading south to Custer, stay on Highway 244 for a unique profile view of the memorial.
Address and Location
You’ll find Mount Rushmore at 13000 Highway 244 in Keystone, South Dakota. If you’re driving from Rapid City, you really can’t miss the turns for Mount Rushmore.
Cost
Entrance to the park is free. But you do have to pay for parking. You park in a structure a short walk across from the park entrance. It’s $10 for personal vehicles, $5 for seniors 62 and older, and free for active duty military. Pay machines are available on each level. Your America the Beautiful pass will not cover parking.
What to do
Currently (through early 2020), the main plaza of Mount Rushmore is under construction. Sadly, you won’t be able to walk down the Avenue of Flags or visit the main Lincoln Borglum Visitor’s Center. You can find the NPS stamp location in the Information Center along with a downsized version of the visitor’s center. But you can still explore the Sculptor’s Studio, gift shop, and the food court (important priorities). Parts of the walking trails are also open. I would recommend checking the park website for current hours and availability before you go to see what is open (or not). Winter weather may also affect the availability.
South Dakota National Park sites: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site | Badlands National Park | Jewel Cave National Monument | Mount Rushmore National Memorial | Wind Cave National Park | Your guide to the South Dakota National Parks
