Everything You Need to Know about a
Mount Rushmore Trip

Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most iconic landmarks, making it a must-see for anybody staying at Summer Creek Inn. Before you arrive at the memorial, it’s good to know what there is to do, important information, and what the general experience will be like.


This guide will fill you in on the must-know information and answer some of the questions you have before you arrive.


A statue of the presidents of the united states on top of a mountain covered in snow.

Essential Information

Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD


Hours

Summer: 8AM - 10PM

Fall: 8AM - 9PM

Winter: 8AM - 5PM


Admission 

While admission to the park itself is free, you do have to pay for parking.

Parking Fee: $10

Seniors: $5

Active Military: FREE

A row of flags are lined up in front of a mountain

It all depends on what you like. The most popular time to visit for most tourists is June, July, and August since the weather is clear and warm. Occasionally, fireworks shows will start at night in the summer as well.


If you want to dodge the crowds and don’t mind the cold, you can visit in the winter months, but know that the hours are more restricted and bus tours won’t be available.


The happy middle ground would be May, September, or October. The crowds are smaller, but you still get to go in comfortable weather with access to tour guides if you think that’s necessary.

When is the best time to visit Mount Rushmore?

A mountain covered in trees and rocks with a blue sky in the background

For most people, around one to two hours would allow you to see everything Mount Rushmore has to offer. However, diehard history fans who want to absorb every detail of the memorial could stay longer.



How long will the typical visit last?

Is Mount Rushmore dog-friendly?

Guests aren’t able to bring their pets on to the actual monument, but you can take your dogs for a walk on the Blackberry Trail around the parking lot.

Can you climb the mountain?

You can’t climb Mount Rushmore, but you can go rock climbing in other parts of the memorial. Check the Information Center when you arrive for more details.

Things to do on Site

These are some of the most popular activities that you can do onsite.

The four presidents of the united states are carved into a mountain

Check out the Sculptor’s Studio

Engage in the story of Gutzon Borglum, the architect and artist who carved Mount Rushmore into the rocky surface. He wanted to aim for the Colossus in Rome in a level of grandeur, and while he wasn’t able to carve more than the four presidents into the wall, the achievement is still incredible. 


This should be your first stop, as it closes the earliest and gives you a great build up in seeing the actual monument.



Walk the Presidential Trail

After you’ve learned about the legendary sculptor, take the short walk leading up to the monument and get ready to snap some pictures. You can also walk the Blackberry Trail if your pup needs to stretch its legs.

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

As you might expect, Mount Rushmore is a particularly patriotic place. Every year (with some exceptions), fireworks shoot from the memorial to make for a magical evening celebrating our country. Check out the schedule for the memorial so you don’t miss it.



Don’t leave Mount Rushmore empty handed! Check out the gift shop onsite so you can let everyone know you visited this historic place. Whether you grab a replica, t-shirt, Christmas ornament, or book, you’ll have something to remember it by. You can also buy them online if you missed out.

A large rock formation with four faces carved into it

Want insights into every significant landmark in and around the park? You may want to take a bus tour. Your guide will give you a headset and tell you all the what, whys, and hows of Mount Rushmore. While the prices are a bit more expensive, the experience is worth it—especially if you hate self-guiding tours.


Tickets

Adults (13+): $109

Children (5-12): $57

Is it worth it?

Overall, a trip to Mount Rushmore is definitely worth taking—especially if you are crazy about American history. If you are on the fence about it, keep in mind that this is the only place that Mount Rushmore exists. 


You can’t get this experience anywhere else, so if you’re booking a room with us you should check it out, or you may be sad that you didn’t.



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