Independence Day Events

Visitors help lift and fold the American flag on Independence Day.

NPS Photo / A. Rimstidt

Independence Day at Mount Rushmore

Each year on July 3rd and 4th, visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial have the opportunity to experience a variety of educational programs, patriotic tributes, and musical entertainment in celebration of Independence Day.

Specific times and locations are published on the park’s Event Calendar once they are confirmed.

Planned Daily Events Include:

• Presidential re-enactors representing the four presidents on the sculpture: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
• At scheduled times, the presidents will give presentations, sign autographs, and mingle with visitors on the Memorial grounds.
• Visitors will also have the chance to enjoy Indigenous hoop dancing, music, and storytelling throughout the day, featuring hoop dancers Starr Chief Eagle and Jasmine Pickner-Bell, along with storyteller and historian Sequoia Crosswhite.

July 3^rd

July 3rd will kick-off the park's celebration at 9:30 am with the presidential re-enactors providing an in-character news conference in the Carvers' Café. Questions are asked by a park ranger hosting the news conference and visitors will have the opportunity to ask their own questions for the presidents to answer. The July 3rd events will culminate with a special evening program beginning at 7:30 p.m. featuring a hoop dance performance by Jasmine Bell and musical performances by The Air Force Academy Band. Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard will assist in the Flag Folding Ceremony and Retreat.

Daytime activities:

George Washington:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - News Conference, Carver's Marketplace
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Roving the park grounds
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Roving the park grounds

Thomas Jefferson:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - News Conference, Carver's Marketplace
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Declaration of Independence, Flag Folding
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Roving the park grounds
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center

Abraham Lincoln:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - News Conference, Carver's Marketplace
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Roving the park grounds
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Roving the park grounds
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center

Theodore Roosevelt:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - News Conference, Carver's Marketplace
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Roving the park grounds
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Roving the park grounds

Indigenous Cultural Programming:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - Hoop Dancing with Jasmine Bell, Grand View Terrace
• 9:30 - 10:15am - Presentation by Sequoia Crosswhite, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Lakota, Nakota, Dakota Heritage Village Talk
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Lakota, Nakota, Dakota Heritage Village Talk
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Lakota, Nakota, Dakota Heritage Village Talk
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Lakota, Nakota, Dakota Heritage Village Talk

July 4^th

July 4th daytime visitors can enjoy the presidential re-enactors, Native performers and culture bearers, a musical performance by The Air Force Academy Band, and the traditional Evening Lighting Program.

Daytime activities:

George Washington:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - Roving the park grounds
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Roving the park grounds
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Roving the park grounds

Thomas Jefferson:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - Roving the park grounds
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Declaration of Independence, Flag Folding
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Roving the park grounds
• 2:00 - 2:45pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center

Abraham Lincoln:

• 9:30 - 10:15am - Autographs in the Visitor Center
• 11:00 - 11:45am - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
• 12:30 - 1:15pm - Roving the park grounds
• 2:00- 2:45pm - Roving the park grounds
• 3:30 - 4:15pm - Autographs in the Visitor Center

Theodore Roosevelt:

9:30 - 10:15am - Roving the park grounds
11:00 - 11:45am - Autographs in the Visitor Center
12:30 - 1:15pm - Presentation, Theater B in the Visitor Center
2:00 - 2:45pm - Roving the park grounds
3:30 - 4:15pm - Roving the park grounds

Indigenous Cultural Programming:

9:30 - 10:15am - Hoop Dancing with Jasmine Bell, Grand View Terrace

Parking

There is no fee to visit the Memorial; however, the $10 parking fee will be in effect. Active-duty military personnel will park for free and parking for seniors is half price. Keep the parking receipt as it is valid for one year of parking. Visit our fees and passes page to learn more about parking at the Memorial.

Check back regularly for updates.