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Explore the iconic landmarks of the Black Hills with our selection of Mount Rushmore tours. Options range from flexible self-guided audio drives to comprehensive full-day excursions that include Custer State Park and Crazy Horse.
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.
A tour of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills offers a firsthand look at one of America's most recognizable landmarks and the stunning natural beauty of South Dakota. You will get up close to the colossal 60-foot granite faces of four US presidents while learning about the complex engineering behind the sculpture and the deep, often controversial history of the sacred Lakota land it occupies.
This primary viewing platform provides the classic, unobstructed vantage point of the four presidents. It is the perfect spot to capture sweeping photographs framed by the surrounding ponderosa pines.
Get a dramatic, up-close angle of the monument by walking this 0.6-mile loop trail to the base of the mountain. Be prepared for a workout, as the full loop contains 422 stairs.
Explore the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to learn how 400 workers used dynamite to blast 450,000 tons of rock. You can also view the original 1:12 scale model in the Sculptor's Studio.
Held nightly from late May to late September, this patriotic event includes a ranger talk and flag-lowering. It ends with the dramatic illumination of the presidents' faces using eco-friendly LED lights.
Take a break at the Carvers' Café to try the famous Memorial Team Ice Cream. They serve a unique vanilla ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson's original 1780 recipe.
Many extended tours combine Mount Rushmore with nearby iconic sights. Expect to drive through the Iron Mountain Tunnels or spot bison in Custer State Park on full-day itineraries.
Planning your Mount Rushmore excursion is easier when you know what tour options are available and how the logistics work. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
You can choose from guided bus tours, private VIP excursions, or self-guided GPS audio apps. Bus tours are great for first-timers wanting a hands-off experience, while private tours offer flexible pacing and hotel pickup.
Half-day tours typically last about 4 to 4.5 hours and focus solely on Mount Rushmore and a quick scenic drive. Full-day tours run 8 to 10 hours and bundle the monument with Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
While the memorial itself has no entrance fee, there is a $10 parking fee per vehicle. Most guided bus and private tours cover this fee, but if you are driving yourself using an audio app, you will need to pay at the garage.
Do not expect to use your America the Beautiful, Senior, or Access pass for free parking. The garage is operated by a private concessioner, so federal passes are not accepted for the parking fee.
The memorial is highly accessible, with elevators in the parking garages and a paved, wheelchair-friendly section of the Presidential Trail for the first 0.2 miles. However, the rest of the trail has 422 stairs and is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Daytime tours are best for hiking the trails, visiting the museums, and viewing wildlife in nearby parks. Evening tours are specifically designed around the nightly lighting ceremony and often include stargazing.
Some all-inclusive bus tours feature scheduled meals, like a chuckwagon dinner or a music variety show. Private tours usually leave lunch up to your discretion, stopping at local cafes or providing coolers for a picnic.
Most local operators offer flexibility, allowing you to cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Always check your specific ticket, as a few private tours have strict no-refund policies.
| Self-Guided Audio App | Guided Bus Tour | Private Black Hills Tour | Evening Lighting Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Flexible | 9 hours | 8-9 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Best for | Independent drivers on a budget | First-time visitors wanting a full overview | Families and groups wanting flexibility | Photographers and night owls |
| Includes | GPS-triggered audio, offline maps, suggested routes | Bus transport, local guide, parking/entrance fees | Private vehicle, hotel pickup, custom pacing, snacks | Convertible vehicle, stargazing, lighting ceremony |
| Price from | $29.99 per vehicle | $132.50 per person | $325.00 per group | $249.00 per person |
Mount Rushmore's memorial grounds and parking structures are open daily year-round, except for December 25th when the buildings are closed but the grounds remain open (weather permitting).
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center operates from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the winter, 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. There is no public transportation to the memorial, so visitors must drive, rent a car, or book a guided tour.
By Car: The memorial is about 35 miles from Rapid City. Take Interstate 90 to the Rapid City exit, follow U.S. Highway 16 south to Keystone, and then take South Dakota Highway 244 directly to the entrance. The drive takes about 35 minutes.
By Plane: The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), located on South Dakota Highway 44. From there, you will need to rent a vehicle or arrange a private transfer.
Best Months: May, September, and October are the ideal times to visit. The weather is pleasant (ranging from 50°F to 60°F), and you can avoid the massive summer crowds.
Worst Months: June, July, and August bring extreme peak crowds and heavy congestion. Winter months (November through February) can be very cold, with temperatures dropping to 40°F or lower, snow, and no scheduled ranger programs.
Time of Day: If you visit during the summer, arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. This helps you secure parking easily, avoid the midday heat, and get softer lighting for your photographs.
Mount Rushmore is highly accessible for all visitors. Elevators are available on all levels of the parking garages, and a wheelchair ramp near level 6 provides easy access to the main entrance.
The memorial offers several excellent facilities to enhance your visit, most of which are located around the main plaza and Grand View Terrace.
To protect the memorial and ensure visitor safety, several strict rules are enforced by the National Park Service:
Most guided bus tours and private excursions include the $10 parking fee in your ticket price. However, if you are driving yourself using a self-guided audio app, you will need to pay the parking fee at the concession-operated garage upon arrival.
No, federal passes like the America the Beautiful, Senior, or Access passes cannot be used to cover the parking fee. The parking facility is operated by a private concessioner, Xanterra Travel Collection, rather than the National Park Service.
It depends on what you choose to do. Walking to the Grand View Terrace and the visitor center is flat and fully accessible. However, if you want to walk the full 0.6-mile Presidential Trail to the base of the mountain, you will need to climb 422 stairs.
Many full-day and private Black Hills tours bundle Mount Rushmore with nearby attractions, including the Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. Half-day tours typically focus solely on Mount Rushmore and a quick scenic drive.
Pets are strictly prohibited on the main plaza, the Avenue of Flags, and the walking trails at the memorial. If you bring a pet, they must remain in the parking garages or the two designated pet walking areas adjacent to them.
Tours operate rain or shine. Because the memorial sits at an elevation of 5,680 feet, weather can change rapidly. It is highly recommended to bring layers and a rain jacket, though some private guides do provide umbrellas for their guests.
There is no official dress code, but sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended for navigating the paved trails and steep stairs. You should also bring layers, as temperatures can drop quickly during summer evenings or winter days.
Yes, evening tours offer a completely different experience. They allow you to watch the nightly lighting ceremony held from late May to late September, which features a ranger talk and the dramatic illumination of the presidents' faces, often combined with stargazing.
Yes, you can purchase food at the Carvers' Café on-site, which is famous for serving vanilla ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson's original 1780 recipe. Some full-day bus tours also include scheduled meal stops, like a chuckwagon dinner.
Standard personal photography is perfectly fine and requires no permit. However, drones are strictly banned everywhere in the memorial, and commercial filming or large group photography involving 9 or more people requires a special permit from the NPS.
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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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