Mount Rushmore National Memorial Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the landmark. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best Mount Rushmore tours available right now:

• Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show
• Pinnacle Zipline Tour in Keystone
• Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills
• Premier Private Black Hills Tour: Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park
• Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park

Although there are no entrance fees or Mount Rushmore tickets, a parking fee of US$10 per vehicle for cars, motorcycles, and RVs is good for unlimited entry for one year (credit cards are accepted). Several guided tours, including transfers and nearby attractions, start at around US$133.

The best times to visit Mount Rushmore are early morning, ideally before 8am, or late evening when the mountain is illuminated. (It’s typically lit until 11pm in summer and 9pm the rest of the year.) The crowds will be considerably smaller than at midday, and the light will be fantastic.

No, there is no entrance fee to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. However, there is a parking fee per vehicle—once paid, you can park on-site for one year. Discounts are available for seniors (62 and older), and active-duty military personnel can park for free.

Most visitors take a self-guided tour of Mount Rushmore along the .6-mile (1 kilometer) Presidential Trail. Other activities include exploring the Sculptor’s Studio, which details the monument’s carving; attending special programs, like the evening lighting ceremony; and visiting Carvers’ Café to sample ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson’s family recipe.

Yes, there are many nearby attractions to visit along with Mount Rushmore. Consider exploring Crazy Horse Memorial, a monumental sculpture-in-progress; Custer State Park, famous for bison and other wildlife; Badlands National Park and its dramatic, barren landscapes; and Wind Cave National Park, with one of the world’s longest cave systems.

Mount Rushmore is wildly popular and has a lot of amenities, including a restaurant (with a smorgasbord of dining choices and fabulous views), visitor center, museum, bookstore, gift shop, restrooms, parking, accessible trails, and information desks. Some amenities close before the memorial itself, so check the park’s website before visiting.

Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. You need enough time to walk the Presidential Trail, explore the visitor center and museum exhibits, grab a bite at the café, and take in the views. To attend the evening lighting ceremony, time your visit for evening.