Things To Do

Visitors starting out on the Presidential Trail.
Visitors starting out on the Presidential Trail.

While most visitors travel to Mount Rushmore to admire the enormous sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, there are numerous other ways to experience this site and immerse yourself in the human history and the natural surroundings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

If you have one to two hours:

  • Visit the the Sculptor's Studio and listen to a 15 minute ranger talk about Gutzon Borglum, the carving process and the lives of the workers.
  • Walk the Presidential Trail (0.6 miles long, 422 stairs, weather permitting) to get up close and personal with the mountain sculpture and perhaps glimpse some of the area wildlife.
  • Complete the Junior Ranger program. Booklets are available at the information desks for ages three to four, five to twelve and 13 and up.
  • Dine in the Carvers' Café, enjoy some ice cream from the Ice Cream Shop or shop in the Gift Shop.
 

If you have more time, you may also consider:

 
A park ranger describes the carving process inside the Sculptor's Studio.

Ranger Led Programs

Learn more about ranger talks, Sculptor's Studio talks, the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village, and the Evening Lighting Ceremony.

Mount Rushmore Audio Tour logo with audio tour wand.

Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Tour

Learn more about renting the Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Tour.

Last updated: February 9, 2020

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

13000 Highway 244
Building 31, Suite 1
Keystone, SD 57751

Phone:

(605) 574-2523
Park information. Phones are answered 7 days a week. Hours are 8:00 - 5:00 October through May, 8:00 - 10:00 June through mid-August and 8:00 - 9:00 mid-August through September. All times are Mountain Time.

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