Ultimate Guide to Mt. Rushmore (What you need to know)

Last updated on May 19th, 2023 at 08:20 pm

Is Mt. Rushmore on your bucket list? If you have the national monument in your vacation plans, here is your ultimate guide to visiting Mt. Rushmore.

Why You Should Visit

History buffs will enjoy reading about the 4 presidents carved into the national monument and the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of the country. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are sculpted into the side of the mountain in the Black Hills region, thus making for a spectacular site for everyone. The guide below will help you to make the most of your time.

Visiting Mt. Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore is open every day except Christmas, when buildings are closed, but the best time to visit is during the summer months. Summer hours are open longer and more businesses are open, as a result, there will be more to do during your visit.

Parking

There is no fee to enter the monument, but parking is $10 for cars, motorcycles and RV’s, $5 for seniors 62 and older and free for active-duty military. You will park in the parking garages, and you can pay at any of the pay-on-foot stations located on parking levels 1,2,4 & 5, at the memorial entrance pergola, outside the Carver’s Cafe and gift shop or at the parking garage exit gates.

Things To Do

There are several ways to experience Mt. Rushmore and learn about its history. The things you choose to do will most likely depend on how much time you have to explore. The guide below lists the options available.

• Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center– You can stop here on your way in to view exhibits and watch a 14-minute video about carving Mt. Rushmore.
• The Sculptor’s Studio– Listen to a 15-minute ranger talk about Guzton Borglum and the lives of the workers and the carving process.
• The Presidential Trail– You can walk this 0.6-mile trail to get an up-close view of the presidents. Because this trail follows a path under the presidents, you are able to get unique views.
• Self-Guided Tours– The Mount Rushmore audio tour is a recorded audio tour with narration and interviews with Guzton Borglum and Lincoln Borglum. The rental fee is $6. The multimedia tour incorporates audio and video about the story of Mt. Rushmore. You will use a device similar to an Iphone or Android, therefore, you are able to choose the stories you want to see and hear. Rental fee for this is $8.
• Carver’s Cafe– You will want to make a pitstop at this cafe for some ice cream (they have other options, too). The vanilla ice cream is Thomas Jefferson’s recipe.

Where To Stay

Now that you have decided to visit Mt. Rushmore, you need to decide what town to stay in. There are 3 main options to choose from for visiting the Black Hills region, therefore you need to decide what is important to you and the vibe you are looking for. This guide will help you choose the best homebase for your trip.

Keystone

The closest to Mt. Rushmore, you will be about 10 minutes from the national monument. Keystone has the biggest selection of family attractions; therefore, it has a more touristy vibe. There is an alpine slide, zipline, gold mine and adventure park to keep kids busy when not sightseeing.

Hotels

• K Bar S Lodge– A beautiful property off of the tourist strip, it has a beautiful view of Mt. Rushmore from the lodge and some guest room balconies have a great view of George Washington’s profile. We stayed here and enjoyed it.
• Comfort Inn & Suites– A clean comfortable hotel with a pool and within walking distance of restaurants and shops. The location makes this a popular choice for families.
• The Roosevelt Inn– A small, family-owned hotel located off the busy tourist strip, but still conveniently located to restaurants and shops. The hotel pays homage to Teddy Roosevelt, so if you are a fan of the 26th president, this might be the place for you.

Where To Eat

• Powder house Lodge Restaurant– A consistent favorite, the Powder House is located just outside of Keystone. Because of its popularity, go early to avoid a wait.
• Grapes & Grinds– A fun place to stop for coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Grapes & Grinds has homemade gelato made fresh daily.
• Ruby House Restaurant– If you are craving an elk burger in an eclectic setting, make sure you stop by the Ruby House. The restaurant is filled with memorabilia from the 1800’s and offers a varied menu that will appeal to everyone.

Custer

Centrally located for many attractions in the Black Hills but has a less touristy vibe. There are cute eateries, boutiques and galleries lining the lively downtown. Custer is about 20 minutes from Mt. Rushmore, which makes it an excellent choice to stay.

If you are looking for activities around Custer, check out this post for fun ways to spend your day.

Hotels

• Bavarian Inn– A family run, boutique resort located in the mountains that is close to the Crazy Hore Memorial and Custer State Park. You are also within easy driving distance of Mt. Rushmore.
• Comfort Inn & Suites– This is a tourist favorite, especially for cost conscious travelers. It has forest views, a pool and a continental breakfast each morning.
• Holiday Inn & Suites Custer– A family friendly hotel with mountain views. The location, indoor pool, hot tub and breakfast might make this a good option for you.

Where To Eat

• Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co. & Pounding Fathers Restaurant– Chris and I had dinner here. We went mainly for the brewery but were pleasantly surprised with the menu and food. Expect very good pub food and funky vibe. Chris really enjoyed the beer and thought they had a well-rounded selection of draft beer.
• Skogen Kitchen– A small upscale restaurant with a unique menu. The food is superb, but the restaurant has limited hours, so if you would like to try it, go between 5:00pm-8:00pm.
• Begging Burro Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar– This is your best bet for southwestern cuisine. Don’t miss the guacamole, which is made table side. Their ultimate margaritas receive rave reviews, so you may want to order 1 or 2!

Hill City

The smallest of the 3 towns in the Mt. Rushmore tourist area. It has embraced the art community with galleries and festivals, and this gives it a more adult vibe. It is not geared towards families; therefore, it has a quiet, quaint feel.

Hotels

• Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites– A convenient hotel close to the attractions in the area and a great choice if staying in Hill City. It has an indoor & outdoor pool and a breakfast buffet making it popular with guests.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hill City– Located adjacent to the historic 1880 train depot and within walking distance of the business districts.

Where To Eat

• Alpine Inn– Open for lunch and dinner with a limited menu and delicious food. If you are in the mood for German food, this is the place to eat.
• Silver Dollar Saloon– A good bet for basic fare and good pizza. Open a little later than other restaurants.

Bonus

Hill City is home to 3 wineries!

• Prairie Berry Winery– A wide variety of local wines that are fun to try. They offer free tastings so you can choose your favorite before ordering a glass or buying a bottle.
• Naughti Wines– A laid back winery where you can enjoy a variety of wines. Whether you like reds, whites, rose or sweet wine, you will find something to try.
• Firehouse Smokejumper Station– We stopped here for the craft beer and wine. There is a well-rounded draft beer menu to choose from and a wide selection of wines crafted in the Black Hills. Tastings are available so you can select your favorite red, white or sweet wine. A pub menu is also available making it an option for a late lunch or dinner.

Conclusion

Mt. Rushmore is a destination in itself, but there are many attractions in the area to fill your time. I hope this guide will help you to choose the perfect location to stay during your trip and give you some ideas for restaurants.

Have you visited the Black Hills region? Where was your favorite place to stay?

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