Like most Americans, I grew up knowing about “the mountain with faces,” but not much else. I certainly never thought that one day I’d be visiting Mount Rushmore or enjoying it as much as I did! Quite frankly, the Presidents on Mount Rushmore blew me away! They are infinitely larger than I expected and the entire Mount Rushmore National Memorial is truly a masterpiece. Today, roughly three million people visit Mount Rushmore each year and it remains one of America’s most well-known attractions. Hopefully this guide will help answer all of your questions while planning your trip to Mount Rushmore.

Visiting Mount Rushmore

Photos taken in this article by David M Gallo Photography. This page contains affiliate links, meaning that The Five Foot Traveler may receive a small commission when you purchase any flights or accommodations using the links in this article at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!

Where is Mount Rushmore Located?[How to get to Mount Rushmore]

When I first thought to myself, “What State is Mount Rushmore in,” I realized… I had no idea. I knew about the Mount Rushmore faces, but never thought about it further. Needless to say, I took to googling the Mount Rushmore location and discovered that Mount Rushmore is located in Keystone, South Dakota. While this seemingly seems in the middle of nowhere, Mount Rushmore is set in the stunning Black Hill region and is very easily accessible. 

The closest airport to Mount Rushmore is the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), which serves direct flights from 11 different destinations and 4 airlines. While it’s a smaller airport in the United States, it’s more than likely that you will have a layover en route to Rapid City; we had a layover in Chicago when we flew on a United-operated flight from New York. I recommend checking out your flight options here. 

Fly into the closest airport to Mount Rushmore: Rapid City Regional Airport

If flying isn’t your thing, take a road trip! While it was a little too far for us to drive from New York given our available time frame, it’s certainly an option that many people take. Just be warned: prepare yourself for many corn fields and long drives. Rather than driving from home, we rented a car in Rapid City to begin a road trip through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Have a look at rental car options here. 

Where to Sleep?

[Mount Rushmore Hotels]

You have so many options when it comes to Mount Rushmore lodging! Keystone is a super cute, western-style town just minutes from the Rushmore Presidents. Personally I loved Keystone, and if you’re visiting South Dakota just to see the four presidents on Mount Rushmore, then Keystone would be your best pick! Search all accommodations in Keystone here.

Mount Rushmore Hotels & Lodging – Keystone, South Dakota

If you’re like me though and also want to visit the Badlands in South Dakota, while also visiting Mount Rushmore, then I highly recommend staying in Rapid City. Rapid City is minutes away from the airport, half an hour from Mount Rushmore, and one hour from Badlands National Park. It’s also only half an hour from Custer State Park — my personal favorite hidden gem in South Dakota! Unlike most of the tourist towns immediately surrounding the National Parks, you can find absolutely everything you need in Rapid City should you have forgotten something (psssst… if you’ve read my “137 Travel Essentials” article, you’ll be well prepared!). Search accommodations in Rapid City here.

Who are the Presidents on Mount Rushmore?

If you didn’t know who is on Mount Rushmore, now is your chance! From left to right, the presidents of Mount Rushmore are…

• • • George Washington
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • Theodore Roosevelt
    • Abraham Lincoln

The mastermind behind Mount Rushmore, Gutzon Borglum, believed that these four presidents represented the most pivotal events in the history of the United States. Washington for leading the colonists in the Revolutionary War, Jefferson for writing the Declaration of Independence, Roosevelt for the creation of the United States Forest Service, and Lincoln for preserving the Union during the Civil War. Together, the Four Presidents on Mount Rushmore represent the birth of the United States, the growth of the United States, the development of the United States, and the preservation of the United States. 

Who are the Presidents on Mount Rushmore?

450,000 tons of rock were removed in order to sculpt the presidents on Mount Rushmore and, according to the National Parks Service, the heads are about 60 feet tall (18 meters), while each of the eyes are 11 feet wide (3.4 meters) and each mouth is 18 feet wide (5.5 meters). Yet, even still, the memorial was not completed as envisioned. Borglum originally designed each president to be presented from the waist up, but unfortunately a lack of government funds shut down the project once the Mount Rushmore faces were completed. 

…But What About Susan B. Anthony?!

Yep, you heard that right. I learned such a cool fact when visiting Mount Rushmore: in the 1930s, a bill was introduced to Congress to include a carving of Susan B. Anthony on Mount Rushmore. Unfortunately, the bill wasn’t passed because the federal funds were only allowed to be spent on the carvings already underway. Such a shame! It would have been amazing to see Susan B. Anthony on Mount Rushmore as the primary force behind the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.

Mount Rushmore History

Growing up, we never actually learned about the idea behind the Presidents of Mount Rushmore. So, firstly, when was Mount Rushmore built? Construction began in 1927, but it wasn’t completed until 1941; it took almost exactly fourteen years to the date. Personally, I’d always thought that it was older. 

Believe it or not, the idea first came about to promote tourism to the Black Hills in the 1920s — who would have thought that carving the faces of famous people into a mountain would, in fact, continue to do exactly that a century later?!

Mount Rushmore History

Here is where it gets interesting though. Did you know that 90% of Mount Rushmore was carved using dynamite? Or that over 400 men and women were involved in the making of the memorial? Or that, despite the constant use of dynamite, no one died during the construction? It’s quite fascinating actually and, if interested, I recommend reading the carving history of Mount Rushmore on the official National Parks Service website here. 

Entrance Fees at Mount Rushmore

There is no entrance fee to access Mount Rushmore, however, there is a parking fee. It costs $10 per vehicle, or $5 per vehicle for Seniors, and it’s free for Active Duty Military. As Mount Rushmore is a National Memorial, not a National Park, those with an annual parks pass will still have to pay to park at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. These nominal fees help offset the cost of maintenance within the Memorial. 

Where to get Iconic Views of Mount Rushmore

1. The Amphitheater

The Amphitheater is arguably the most iconic view of the four presidents on Mount Rushmore. There’s a grand promenade that provides you with a face-on view of the presidents (see what I did there?!). It’s truly spectacular. Unfortunately – at the time of posting – the amphitheater is inaccessible as it’s being renovated. While we were initially bummed, we just moved down the patio slightly and found perfectly unobstructed views; we do not feel as if we missed out by not being able to walk the entire promenade to the amphitheater. 

The Amphitheater – Trip to Mount Rushmore

2. The Presidents Trail

The Presidents Trails is unique in that it brings you right up to the “mountain with presidents faces” that we all know. But it brings you so close that you’re pretty much looking straight up their noses. Having the ability to get close enough to see Teddy’s pince nez (think: bifocals) and the top of Washington’s jacket gives one the ability fully to appreciate the craftsmanship of the designer and the carvers.

The Presidents Trail – Four Presidents on Mount Rushmore

Unlike the Amphitheater, the Presidents Trail is far more interactive; you’ll find informational plaques about each president, in addition to the Sculptor’s Workshop and Studio. Within, you will find the original model for the sculptures (including where Borglum originally wanted to place Lincoln’s head), as well as a bosun chair, which is what the workers sat in while working on the facade of the memorial. 

Inside the Workshop at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

3. The Norbeck Overlook (Highway 16A)

If you don’t feel like getting up close and personal with the presidents and would rather view them from afar, make your way along Highway 16A to the Norbeck Overlook. There, you will find a panoramic view overlooking Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Norbeck Overlook is a worthwhile stop on your way to Custer State Park. 

View of Mount Rushmore Memorial Park from Norbeck Overlook

Fun Fact: Home of Jefferson’s Original Ice Cream Recipe

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was not only the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, but also of America’s first ice cream recipe? I surely didn’t! The Mount Rushmore National Memorial serves ice cream made using Jefferson’s original recipe. If you’re like me and feel the need to try the original ice cream while visiting Mount Rushmore, you can grab yourself a scoop or two at the Memorial Ice Cream Shop on the Main Terrace. It’s about $6 for a cup…but honestly, the cups are one size and absolutely massive. Depending on where you normally get ice cream, the cup is the equivalent of about 4+ scoops of ice cream! Let me just say, whether the ice cream is actually made using Jefferson’s original ice cream recipe or not, it was absolutely delicious and the perfect indulgence on a warm day.

Jefferson's Original Ice Cream Recipe – Presidents of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Map

As I’m sure you’re now incredibly excited to visit the Presidents of Mount Rushmore, I’ve created a Mount Rushmore map to provide you with the exact location and my favorite viewpoints of the faces.

What to Pack for your Trip to Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is an incredibly accessible spot for people of all ages and the weather is pretty temperate. That said, Mount Rushmore has the ability to get very windy and chilly even on a relatively warm day. I highly recommend bringing with you a windproof jacket (I recommend this one) and a rainjacket if the weather isn’t looking great (this is mine). For more “must pack” items, have a look at my “137 Travel Essentials” article to ensure that you don’t forget anything!

The Best Travel Card

Before you leave for your next trip, I highly recommend opening a free Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking account. I know that might sound a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry, you don’t need to be an investor to open an account! This provides you with your own Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card, which offers a ton of benefits both at home and overseas. I’ve been using a Charles Schwab Debit Card since 2011, and it’s honestly the best free travel card out there. Why is that so? Well, you can withdraw from any ATM around the world, and Charles Scwab will reimburse you any ATM fees! They also don’t charge foreign transaction fees either, which is, of course, important when you travel.It’s also worth noting there there is no minimum balance requirement and that they offer free online transfers between accounts (so it’s totally fine if you have another credit card, debit card, or bank account with another company) Open your Charles Schwab account today – FOR FREE – by following this link. 

Purchase Travel Insurance for your Visit to Mount Rushmore

I hope you don’t embark without travel insurance! If you do, you better think again. Travel insurance is arguably the most important thing to have on hand (after your passports and visas) for a trip like this. I’ve had to use my travel insurance multiple times on the road, even though I’m healthy. You never know when something might happen; take comfort in knowing that whether your flight gets cancelled or you wind up sick and in the hospital, you will be covered. I recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance for each and every one of you travelers. You can get a free quote here.

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