Mount Rushmore Will Transition To Winter Operations Starting October 1

Date: September 26, 2011
Contact: Ace Crawford, 605-574-3185

KEYSTONE, SD - Beginning Saturday, October 1, 2011, facilities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial will change to winter hours.

The last evening lighting ceremony of the fall season will be held Friday, September 30, 2011 at 8:00 pm local time. The sculpture will be lit at dusk for one hour starting October 1, and that will continue nightly throughout the winter months.

The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Information Center operating hours will be 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Sculptor’s Studio will be open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm through October 15, and will then close until next year.

Also starting on October 1, the concessioner, Xanterra, will begin their fall/winter hours in the Carver’s Café - 8:00 am to 5:30 pm until October 13, at which time they will close at 4:30 pm for the balance of the winter.

Gift shop hours:

Until October 13: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
October 13 - October 27: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
October 27 through the winter months: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

The parking concession will also be adjusting their hours beginning October 1, continuing to open at 7:30 am, and closing at 5:00 pm.