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If you are planning a grand road trip through America's national parks, adding a Mount Rushmore excursion to your Yellowstone itinerary is a great choice. While these tours don't cross into Wyoming, they offer Yellowstone visitors efficient, top-rated ways to explore the Black Hills, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park during their South Dakota stopover.
Free Cancellation Explore Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills with local guides, including meals and a live variety music show.
Free Cancellation Explore the landmarks of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills on a guided bus tour focused on scenery and local history.
Free Cancellation Explore the Black Hills' top landmarks on a private, fully customizable day trip led by a local guide.
Free Cancellation Private Mount Rushmore tours led exclusively by the Esposti family, offering local expertise for your private group.
Free Cancellation Explore the Black Hills and Badlands at your own pace with a GPS audio tour that plays local stories as you drive.
Spend a full day exploring Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the bison herds of Custer State Park.
Free Cancellation Explore the southern Black Hills with local guides, tracing the history of the gold rush and the life of Crazy Horse.
Free Cancellation See Mount Rushmore and the Iron Mountain Tunnels in an open-top vehicle, including the nightly lighting ceremony.
Free Cancellation Visit Mount Rushmore and drive the winding scenic byways of the Black Hills with a local guide.
Free Cancellation Explore Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park on a narrated full-day tour through the Black Hills.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Mount Rushmore — from practical tips to personal highlights.
When booking a Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone tour, expect to dive deep into America's history and the rugged beauty of the Black Hills. These guided experiences take the hassle out of navigating winding mountain roads, allowing you to focus on colossal granite monuments, local wildlife, and Native American heritage.
This is the primary viewing platform where you will get that classic, unobstructed photograph of the four presidents. It offers a sweeping view of the 60-foot granite faces framed perfectly by ponderosa pines.
A 0.6-mile loop trail that takes you right up to the base of the mountain for dramatic, close-up angles. Along the way, you will read informative plaques detailing the history of the presidents and local tribes.
Held nightly from late May to late September, this patriotic event features a ranger talk and a flag-lowering ceremony. It ends with the dramatic illumination of the presidents' faces using eco-friendly LED lights.
Many full-day tours include a stop at this massive, ongoing mountain carving honoring the Lakota leader. It serves as a powerful cultural response to Mount Rushmore.
Extended tours often drive through this expansive state park's Wildlife Loop Road. Keep your eyes peeled for free-roaming bison, burros, and pronghorn antelope.
Learn about the deep, controversial history of the sacred Lakota land known as Six Grandfathers Mountain. The Heritage Village features traditional tipis and educational displays.
Before booking your Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone tour, there are a few important details to keep in mind regarding fees, transportation, and what is actually included in your ticket.
You can choose from large group bus tours, private guided treks for just your family, or self-guided audio driving apps. Private tours offer the most flexibility, while bus tours often bundle meals and entertainment.
Mount Rushmore itself does not charge an entrance fee, but there is a $10 parking fee per private vehicle. Most guided bus and private tours cover all vehicle and parking fees, but always check the inclusions list.
If you are driving yourself, note that the America the Beautiful or Senior passes do not cover the Mount Rushmore parking fee. The parking facility is operated by a private concessioner, not the National Park Service.
Some full-day sightseeing packages include a chuckwagon dinner and a music variety show. Other tours simply budget time for a meal break at your own expense, though coolers are often provided for boxed lunches.
The Grand View Terrace and visitor centers are highly accessible via elevators. However, the full Presidential Trail contains 422 stairs and is not recommended for visitors with limited mobility.
The memorial sits at an elevation of 5,680 feet. Temperatures can drop quickly, especially during evening tours or winter visits. Sturdy walking shoes and layered clothing are highly recommended.
Most standard tours offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. However, some specialized private tours state that all sales are final, so read the terms carefully.
| Guided Bus Tour | Private Full-Day Tour | Self-Guided Audio Tour | Evening Night Ceremony Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 9 hours | 8-9 hours | Flexible | 4.5 hours |
| Best for | First-time visitors wanting a comprehensive, hands-off overview | Families or groups wanting a customized, flexible pace | Independent travelers exploring with their own rental car | Photography enthusiasts and stargazers |
| Includes | Bus transport, guide narration, entrance fees | Private transport, expert guide, snacks, water, hotel pickup | GPS-enabled audio app, offline maps, location-based stories | Convertible vehicle transport, driver/guide, bottled water |
| Price from | $132.50 | $325.00 | $29.99 | $249.00 |
Mount Rushmore's grounds and parking structure are open daily year-round, except on December 25th when the buildings are closed but grounds remain open (weather permitting).
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours up to 10:00 p.m. during the peak summer season (May 23 to August 9).
Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, near the town of Keystone.
By Car: From Rapid City, drive 35 miles south. Exit Interstate 90 at Rapid City, follow U.S. Highway 16 south to Keystone, and then take South Dakota Highway 244 directly to the memorial entrance.
By Air: The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), located about 35 miles away. There is no public transportation to the memorial, so you will need to rent a car or book a guided bus tour from Rapid City.
Best Months: May, September, and October are ideal. The weather is pleasant (50°F to 60°F), and the park is significantly less crowded than in the summer.
Worst Months: June, July, and August bring extreme peak crowds and heavy congestion. Winter months (November through February) can be very cold with snow and no scheduled ranger programs.
Time of Day: To avoid the heaviest crowds and find easy parking during summer, plan to arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m.
The memorial is highly accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Elevators are available on all levels of the parking garages, and a wheelchair ramp near level 6 provides access to the main entrance.
Mount Rushmore offers several excellent facilities to enhance your visit:
Note: Food and beverages are prohibited inside the visitor centers and gift shops.
To protect the memorial and ensure visitor safety, several strict rules are in place:
Mount Rushmore does not actually charge an entrance fee. However, there is a $10 parking fee per private vehicle. Most guided tours cover all vehicle parking fees, but it is always best to check your specific tour's inclusion list.
No, federal passes like the America the Beautiful, Senior, or Access passes cannot be used for the parking fee. The parking facility is operated by a private concessioner, not the National Park Service.
Yes, many full-day private tours and extended bus tours offer complimentary pickup from central Rapid City hotels and nearby campgrounds. Check the logistics section of your booking to confirm your hotel is in the pickup zone.
A typical visit lasts about 3 hours, which gives you enough time to walk the Presidential Trail and explore the museum. If you are just stopping for photos at the Grand View Terrace, 1 to 2 hours is usually sufficient.
Held nightly from late May to late September, this is a patriotic event featuring a ranger talk, national songs, and a flag-lowering ceremony. It ends with the dramatic illumination of the four presidents' faces using LED lights.
Generally, no. The memorial strictly prohibits pets on the main plaza, the Avenue of Flags, and the walking trails. Tour operators also restrict pets on buses and in private vehicles, though service animals are allowed.
The 0.6-mile Presidential Trail loop contains 422 stairs. If you want to avoid the steepest climb, local guides recommend starting the trail from the Grand View Terrace rather than the Sculptor's Studio.
Most 8-to-9-hour tours maximize your day by combining Mount Rushmore with nearby attractions. Common stops include the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop, and the scenic Iron Mountain Road.
The self-guided audio tour is a GPS-enabled app you download to your phone. As you drive through the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, the app works offline to automatically play location-based stories and navigation tips through your car's Bluetooth.
Yes, the memorial grounds and parking structure are open daily year-round, except for building closures on December 25th. However, winter temperatures can drop below 40°F with snow, and there are no scheduled ranger programs.
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See the best of the Black Hills on a full-day guided tour that covers Mount Rushmore and the region's most famous landmarks. This all-inclusive package handles the logistics for you, combining sightseeing with scheduled meals and a live variety music show. You’ll travel with local guides who provide historical context and stories about the area’s unique landscape. As the longest-operating local tour company in the Black Hills, we have been family-owned and operated since 1973. Now in our second generation of leadership as of 2023, we focus on sharing the history of our home with a level of local expertise that only fifty years in the business can provide.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This guided bus tour travels through the primary landmarks and landscapes of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. The Tour Only package is intended for visitors who prefer to focus on the area's scenery and history without the inclusion of a pre-arranged meal. Operating since 1973, Mount Rushmore Tours is the oldest family-owned tour company in the Black Hills. Now in its second generation of family leadership as of 2023, the company provides expert-led excursions based on over fifty years of local knowledge and operational experience in the region.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day private tour covers the essential highlights of the Black Hills, offering an efficient way to see the region's most famous sites in a single trip. Since the tour is private, you can move at your own pace without the constraints of a large group or a fixed schedule. Your local guide provides insight into the area's history and geography while navigating the mountain roads. The itinerary is entirely flexible; you can choose which landmarks to prioritize and how much time to spend at each location. Whether you want to focus on monuments, scenic overlooks, or local history, the day is shaped by your interests. If you have specific stops in mind or need assistance building a custom route, please reach out. We are happy to help you plan a day that fits your specific goals for visiting the Black Hills.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Explore Mount Rushmore with guides who live and work in the Black Hills. GeoFunTrek is a family-owned operation where every tour is conducted by Cindy, Christopher, or John Esposti. By avoiding seasonal or part-time staff, we provide a detailed look at the history and lesser-known details of the monument based on decades of local experience. Our tours are entirely private; we never mix groups, ensuring your family or friends have the guide's full attention. We use SUVs for most outings, but can rent larger vans to accommodate bigger groups. This format works well for three-generation families or groups of friends who want to explore the area at their own pace. Children three and under join for free and will have their own dedicated seat. If your child requires a car seat, please bring one along, as we do not provide them. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This GPS-enabled audio tour guides you through three major routes across the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park. As you drive, the app automatically plays narration about the landscape, from the granite spires of the Needles Highway to the carvings at Mount Rushmore. It functions like a local guide in the car, providing historical context and driving directions exactly when you need them. Because the app uses GPS, no cellular data or Wi-Fi is required once the tour is downloaded. You can follow the provided half-day or multi-day itineraries or choose your own path, spending as much time as you want at each lookout. One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, and the tour never expires, giving you access to free updates for future trips.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day tour covers the major landmarks of the Black Hills, beginning with a visit to Mount Rushmore. You will have time to walk the Avenue of Flags and view the presidential carvings while learning about the engineering and history behind the monument. The itinerary continues at the Crazy Horse Memorial, an ongoing mountain carving dedicated to the Lakota leader. Here, you can tour the onsite museum and watch performances by Lakota dancers to learn more about the region's indigenous heritage. The final portion of the day is spent in Custer State Park. You will travel along the Wildlife Loop Road, which winds through granite peaks and open prairies. This area is home to diverse wildlife, and sightings of bison, pronghorn antelope, and wild burros are common along the route.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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Join Neal and Becky, long-time residents of the Black Hills, for a guided tour through the region's most significant historical sites. Starting with a pickup in Rapid City, Neal draws on his lifelong connection to South Dakota to share the stories that shaped this landscape. The tour focuses on the southern Black Hills, connecting the discovery of gold to the broader conflicts of the late 19th century. The narrative covers the life of Crazy Horse, the actions of General George Armstrong Custer, and the impact of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. As you visit these locations, you'll hear about the events leading to the Battle of the Little Bighorn and how the gold rush changed the area forever. Neal and Becky also provide practical advice and local recommendations to help you make the most of your time in the Hills.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 4.5-hour evening tour takes you through the Black Hills in specialized convertible vehicles designed for unobstructed views and photography. You’ll travel through the famous Iron Mountain Tunnels before arriving at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The elevated seating allows you to see the landscape clearly without having to step out of the car. The itinerary follows the seasonal schedule of the Memorial. From May 22nd to August 10th, the tour includes the 9:00 PM lighting ceremony; from August 11th to September 30th, the ceremony begins at 8:00 PM. Between October 1st and May 21st, when the ceremony is not held, the tour focuses on the mountain sunset and stargazing, depending on the weather. Tours depart from Rapid City between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM—please call to confirm your specific pickup time. In addition to our standard open-top tours, we also offer private group bookings and limousine options for a more tailored experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This half-day tour covers the essential landmarks of the Black Hills. We begin at Mount Rushmore before heading into Custer State Park to drive the Needles Highway. The route includes a stop at Sylvan Lake, where you can see the massive granite boulders that line the shore. The trip continues along Iron Mountain Road, which is known for its unique pigtail bridges and tunnels that frame views of the monument from a distance. A local guide handles the driving through these technical mountain roads, sharing history and insights about the landscape as you go.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 8-9 hour tour covers three of Western South Dakota's most significant sites: Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park. Your guide provides narration throughout the day, offering historical context for the stone carvings and information about the region's natural environment. The itinerary includes a drive through the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, where you can view bison and other local wildlife in their natural habitat. We build in a scheduled break during the trip for you to purchase lunch, ensuring you have enough time to explore each landmark at a steady pace.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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