Crazy Horse Monument

You’ve probably heard of Mount Rushmore, but did you know that there’s a second monument carved into the Black Hills? While Rushmore commemorates the history of the United States with prominent figures from the country’s history, The Crazy Horse Memorial points (literally) at the tribal history of the Native Americans.


Learn more about the Lakota culture, the sculptor of the mountain, and Crazy Horse himself. If you love history, (or looking at man made wonders), this monument is an attraction you can’t miss.

A statue of a man 's head is sitting on top of a rocky hill.

Essential Information

Address: 12112 Ave of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD

Hours: 8AM to Dark

Elevation: 6352 feet


Cost (Winter Season / Summer Season)

The price of admission depends on the number of people you bring with you and the type of vehicle you bring. Admission allows you to look at the three museums in the area, watch the Legends of Light laser show, view the mountain carving, and view the cultural programs.


Person on a Motorcycle, Bicycle, or Walking: $7 / $10

1 Person in a Vehicle: $12 / $10

2 People in a Vehicle: $24 / $30

3 People in a Vehicle: $30 / $35

Crazy Horse vs. Mount Rushmore

So if you could only go to one, which sight should you visit? Let’s compare the two.

A statue of a man 's head is sitting on top of a rocky hill.

Things to Do at Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse focuses on Native American culture and art, offering a deeper look at different Native stories, history, and customs. There’s also a nightly light show, three museums, and a gift shop to explore while you’re here. You’ll learn about sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, warrior Crazy Horse, and much more. There’s also a restaurant called Laughing Water you can snack at in the middle of your visit.


These are the three museums:

Indian Museum of North America

Mountain Carving Gallery and Sculptor’s Studio

Native American Educational and Cultural Center

A statue of the presidents of the united states with fireworks in the background

Mount Rushmore is obviously the bigger bucket list item for a lot of people, as it’s considered one of the major American landmarks akin to the Lincoln Memorial in DC. While the site is no doubt iconic, there’s just not as much to do as Crazy Horse Memorial. You could spend about an hour here and feel like you’ve seen everything.


You can explore the sculptor studio, walk the woods in the presidential trail, peruse the gift shop, see the iconic mount, and if you come at the right time you can watch the fireworks show. We recommend coming to Mount Rushmore, and if you love American history you’ll adore it, but if you can only do one and want an overall denser experience, Crazy Horse might be the better choice for you.

A large rock formation in the middle of a forest

How long should I expect to visit Crazy Horse?

Plan to visit Crazy Horse for at least two hours. If you just want to see the major sights, you should be able to get it done fairly quickly, but if you soak in all the history you could be here for longer.


When will Crazy Horse Monument be done?

While it’s impossible to say when the monument will be done, the sculptor estimates it could be completed in 2037. The harsh weather and iron content of the mountain have made the project last far longer than previously thought.


Crazy Horse to Mount Rushmore

If you want to have a history-focused day, the drive from Crazy Horse to Mount Rushmore is around 30 minutes. It makes for a fun day trip if you do visit both!


Can you visit Crazy Horse at night?

The museums and monuments are both closed at dusk, but you will be able to see the Legends in Light laser show once the sun sets during the summer season.


Are dogs allowed at Crazy Horse?

Leashed pets are allowed in the outdoor areas, but must be contained or held inside the gift shops and museums. Large dogs are not allowed inside for this reason.

If you are looking for more fun things to do near Crazy Horse, take a look at our travel guide to find more ideas. The Black Hills are a place of fun, romance, and enlightenment.

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