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Entering Mount Rushmore costs nothing, though parking a private vehicle requires a $10 fee. The memorial grounds remain open daily year-round, with visitor buildings closing only on December 25th.
Mount Rushmore opens daily year-round, with the grounds accessible from early morning until late evening. Summer hours stretch from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., while winter access starts later and ends at 9:00 p.m. The visitor centers operate on shorter schedules, generally closing by 5:00 p.m. outside peak season.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday (Mar 10 – Sep 30) | 05:00–23:00 | Visitor centers open 08:00–17:00 (extended to 22:00 from May 23 to Aug 9). |
| Monday–Sunday (Oct 1 – Oct 31) | 05:00–21:00 | Visitor centers open 08:00–17:00. |
| Monday–Sunday (Nov 1 – Mar 9) | 06:00–21:00 | Winter transition hours may delay grounds opening to 07:00. Visitor centers open 08:00–17:00. |
Mount Rushmore remains open on almost all national holidays. On December 25th, all visitor buildings, cafes, and gift shops shut down entirely. The outdoor grounds and parking structure stay accessible on Christmas Day, provided the winter weather permits safe entry.
Mount Rushmore does not charge an entrance fee, but visitors must pay to park in the concession-operated facility. A standard private vehicle costs $10, which includes unlimited entry to the memorial for a full year. Federal park passes like America the Beautiful do not cover this parking cost.
Admission to the memorial is always free for all visitors, and active duty military personnel receive free parking.
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View All ToursPlan your visit for May, September, or October to secure the best conditions. These shoulder months keep temperatures between 50°F and 60°F while avoiding the extreme summer congestion that fills the concession-operated parking garages. Winter trips from November through February risk sub-40°F temperatures, sudden snow, and canceled ranger programs.
Plan on spending three hours at Mount Rushmore. This window leaves enough time to walk the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail, browse the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center museum, and catch the evening lighting ceremony. A quick stop strictly for photographing the 60-foot granite faces from the Grand View Terrace takes one to two hours.
Beat the peak June through August crowds by arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Morning and late afternoon light softens the shadows on the granite faces for better photographs. Midday visits guarantee heavy congestion and full parking garages.
Pay the $10 private vehicle parking fee at the automated machines inside the garages or near the entrance before returning to your car. The exit gates require a validated ticket to open. National Park Service passes, including the America the Beautiful pass, do not cover this concessioner fee.
Enter the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail from the Grand View Terrace to avoid a strenuous uphill climb. Starting the loop from the Sculptor's Studio forces you to walk up 422 steep stairs. The paved path from the terrace offers an easier descent toward the base of the mountain.
Bring a jacket even in summer. Mount Rushmore sits at an elevation of 5,680 feet, causing temperatures to drop rapidly once the sun goes down. Winter visits from November through February mean freezing nights and snow, with temperatures routinely falling below 40°F.
Explicitly ask anyone taking your picture at the Grand View Terrace to include the 60-foot granite faces in the shot. Tourists frequently hand back cameras with the monument completely cut out of the frame. The terrace provides the primary unobstructed angle of the four presidents.
Mount Rushmore charges no entrance fee, but you must pay for parking. The concession-operated garage costs $10 per private vehicle, $5 for seniors 62 and older, and is free for active-duty military. This parking ticket grants unlimited entry for one year from the purchase date.
Federal passes like the America the Beautiful, Senior, or Access passes do not cover the parking cost. A private concessioner operates the parking facility, not the National Park Service. You will need to pay the $10 vehicle fee out of pocket.
The memorial grounds and parking structure open daily at 5:00 a.m. from March 10 through October 31, shifting to 6:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. during the winter. Closing times hit 11:00 p.m. in the summer and 9:00 p.m. the rest of the year. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center operates from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., extending to 10:00 p.m. between May 23 and August 9.
All visitor buildings close on December 25th, including the visitor centers, cafes, and gift shops. The parking structure and grounds remain open for viewing the sculpture, weather permitting. Heavy winter snow can force unannounced closures of these outdoor areas.
Three hours gives you enough time to walk the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail, browse the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center museum, and stay for the evening lighting ceremony. A quick stop just to take photos from the Grand View Terrace takes one to two hours. Starting the trail from the Sculptor's Studio requires climbing 422 steep stairs, which will slow your pace.
Arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. during the peak summer months of June, July, and August. Midday visits guarantee heavy congestion and full parking garages. Early mornings also provide cooler temperatures and softer lighting for photographing the 60-foot granite faces.
Pets cannot enter the main plaza, the Avenue of Flags, or the walking trails. You must keep them restricted to the parking garages and two designated pet walking areas adjacent to those structures. Leaving animals in hot cars during summer visits poses a severe risk.
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