Iron Mountain Road Tours and Tickets

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

• Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show

• Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

• Premier Private Tour: Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park

• Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Crazy Horse

• Mount Rushmore Extended Expedition Tour

Iron Mountain Road is totally free to drive—it’s a public road and scenic byway. However, there are plenty of fun tours you can take that will make the most of your time here in the Black Hills (and leave the zigzagging driving to someone else). Sightseeing tours start at around US$130 per person.

Even though Iron Mountain Road is only 17 miles (27 kilometers) long, it takes about 45 minutes to drive without stops. You'll want to take your time to enjoy it, though—the road has 314 curves and 14 switchbacks, with a speed limit of 35mph (56 kph). Plan 2-plus hours to take in the scenic pull-offs and views.

The 17-mile (27-kilometer) road features spectacular Mount Rushmore views framed by 1-lane tunnels, wooden pigtail bridges, and the panoramic beauty of the Black Hills and Custer State Park. Wildlife sightings include buffalo herds, antelope, deer, turkey, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats, which frequently appear on rocky outcroppings.

Technically, yes, Iron Mountain Road is open year-round, but it’s not maintained in winter, and the main overlook closes. The road may close in winter due to snow and ice, and sometimes for maintenance or plowing, so check ahead of your visit. The road typically fully reopens in spring once snow and ice have cleared.

Yes, Iron Mountain Road features three 1-lane tunnels that were deliberately engineered to frame Mount Rushmore perfectly, providing an unforgettable view of the memorial. The Doane Robinson Tunnel provides the first glimpse of Rushmore centered in the opening like a photograph, and the Scovel Johnson Tunnel offers a superb perspective, too.