Mount Rushmore National Memorial • South Dakota Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country.

Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States. Would another artist at that time, or perhaps a modern artist choose differently? As you read more about Borglum's choices, think about what you might have done if the decision was up to you.

Vehicles entering the Mount Rushmore parking facility. NPS Photo Mount Rushmore National Memorial Parking Facility Parking is readily available in the Memorial's parking complex. The parking facility is operated under a concession contract between the National Park Service and Xanterra Travel Collection. A parking ticket entitles a non-commercial vehicle unlimited entry to the Memorial for one ...

Plan Your Visit Just over two million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. The busiest months are June, July and August. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. Want to avoid the crowds? Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. during our busiest times, June through August.

The visitor facilities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial are open all year, seven days a week, with the exception of December 25th. On December 25th, weather permitting, the parking structure and grounds remain open, but all buildings are closed.

Things To Do While most visitors travel to Mount Rushmore to admire the enormous sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, there are numerous other ways to experience this site and immerse yourself in the human history and the natural surroundings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Visitors traveling by car from the East use Exit 61 off I-90 and follow the signs for Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Coming from the West use exit 57 exit at Rapid City and follow U.S. Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Visitors coming from the south should follow Highway 385 north to Highway 244, which is the road leading to the Memorial.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial will have a robust schedule of special events July 2–4 to commemorate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Gutzon Borglum Mount Rushmore National Memorial is host to just over two million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. They come to marvel at the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and to learn about the birth, growth, development and the preservation of our country.

Map of National Park Service areas in and around the Black Hills (397K jpeg). Visit Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association for more road maps of the Black Hills area.