General Information
Mount Rushmore might be one the most iconic memorials in the United States, being featured in movies such as National Treasure, as well as countless commercials, magazines, and travel promos. Mount Rushmore, itself, is a staggering monument to the history of the United States as it features four of the country’s most well-known presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, whose faces are carved into the mountain.
Mount Rushmore boasts over 3 million visitors each year, which is an impressive number, but does it live up to the hype?
Keep reading to learn about our experience of Mount Rushmore and find out!
Location
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located within the Black Hills of South Dakota, 3 miles west of the city of Keystone. Mount Rushmore is easily accessible from any direction. From I-90, take the exit for Rapid City and continue on US HWY 16 towards Keystone. Then you will take SD HWY 244 to Mount Rushmore.
If you are approaching from the South, take US HWY 385 north until you arrive to SD HWY 244, which will take you directly to Mount Rushmore.
Size
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is approximately 2 square miles (1,745 Meters).
Climate
Mount Rushmore National Memorial has a climate that is classified as a “Humid Continental Climate” according to the Köppen Climate Classification. This means that in the hottest months the temperature average in the 80s F with a high humidity index. In the coldest months, the average temperature is about 20 degrees F.
Cost:
According to nps.gov, on August 31, 2020 there is not a fee associated with visiting Mount Rushmore, BUT there is a fee for parking.
The parking fees are as follows:
** Please note that every vehicle is required to pay the fee. This is regardless of if those in the vehicle are in possession of a National Parks Pass of any kind **
History:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a monument that stirs up strong emotions for many people. Some might gaze upon the stoic figures immortalized in stone with intense pride as it points to the sheer might and willpower of the American people. Others look upon it and are reminded of a much darker history of colonialization. Why is this the case though? Well, it all boils down to the history of the land that Mount Rushmore sits upon.
Prior to colonialization, the Black Hills region of South Dakota was sacred to the Sioux people who inhabited the region. As colonialization pushed westward, the Sioux clashed relentlessly with American soldiers for control of the land. In 1868 the Sioux people and the American army (led by William T. Sherman) found peace through the Treaty of Ft. Laramie in which the Sioux were granted “undisturbed use and occupation” of territory including the Black Hills.
Shortly after this treaty was signed, however, gold was found in the region. Seemingly overnight, prospectors flocked to the region and the United States Government began pressuring the Sioux people to relinquish rights to the land.
Bloody conflicts resumed and culminated in the Massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890.
Ever since this time, the Sioux have been protesting for the right to return to their sacred lands.
Creation of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore, as we know it today, was conceived by Doane Robinson in 1923 as a way to attract tourists to South Dakota. Originally, the concept was for the sculptures to be made from the needles (stone pillars that exist in the region and can still be seen within Custer State Park), however after discovering that the pillars were too fragile to be sculpted, Mount Rushmore was chosen as a suitable location. After the site was identified, Robinson went to congress to appeal for permission to create the structure. In 1925, under President Coolidge, the project received approval. Carving begin in 1927 and was completed in 1941. Over the nearly 20 year project, an estimated 410,000 tons of rock were removed from the mountain to create the carvings.
Our Experience
We found Mount Rushmore to be extremely disappointing. Prior to even arriving to Keystone, we received countless warnings from fellow travelers to avoid actually going to Mount Rushmore. We had both been to Mount Rushmore, so we opted to heed their advice – which we will share with you now.
Mount Rushmore, though an incredible feat of modern engineering is extremely crowded and expensive to visit. The monument is clever in how they set up their entrance fee to maximize profit – they do not charge people to visit, but they charge for parking. This allows them to bypass the National Parks Passes, military passes, and passes that are issued to senior citizens and people with disabilities. As a business model, it is ingenious (maintenance of the structures is not cheap, especially when you are in a losing fight with nature and erosion). That being said, the monument does not offer much else. There is a pretty walkway lined with flags, a souvenir shop, and a scenic walkway that allows you to venture through a section of the forest for a more intimate view of the structure.
So, what was the advice? Do not pay to park! The structure is HUGE and can be seen from miles away. In fact, the prettiest views of Mount Rushmore can be seen just down the road at scenic overview pullouts and a rest area that has picnic tables and a few trails.
We followed this advice and felt like we got a far better deal than we would have by paying.
General Score:
For all of the reasons we mentioned above, we rated Mount Rushmore 1 out of 5 stars.
This rating is in no way a reflection of the sculpture itself, but rather the park, fees, etc.
Why pay $10+ when you can get a better experience for free.
Pet Rating:
We ranked Mount Rushmore 0 out of 5 stars.
This is because pets are not allowed outside of the parking structure of Mount Rushmore. You cannot experience this monument with your pet AND if you leave your furry friends in your vehicle, you could find trouble as other tourists might see your pet and think that they are in trouble or are being neglected.
Moreover, the intense temperatures in the region could prove harmful to your pet if they are left in the car – so if you do visit, you might find yourself spending more time worrying about your pet than you are actually taking in the sites and enjoying yourself.
