Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation Review

BEAUTIFUL !!!!!! MUST SEE the night time laser light show takes your breath away....

My wife and I visited Mount Rushmore two years ago, and decided to go to the Crazy Horse Monument. Although there is a lot of work left on the monument, we very much enjoyed the visit. The bus ride and discussion about the history of the monument was interesting, as was the visit to the museum. We donated a few dollars and took pieces of granite from the monument blasting. I've had them in my garden since our trip, and they remind me of the trip whenever I see them. All that for about $30. I am surprised at the comments complaining about the costs. Unfortunately many people expect instant gratification, and something to totally wow them, without thinking about the idea and effort behind the monument. That is unfortunate. I'm sure we spent more than $30 on many of our lunches during the trip, so I thought this stop was a good value. If I am in the area again years from now, I will likely return for a few hours to see the progress.

Crazy Horse Memorial is a fantastic place. I highly recommend taking the Volksmarch if the weather is nice, it is a wonderful hike to the top (10 km round trip) offered twice a year. The 20 minute film inside is also worth the time as it tells a lot about the construction on it.

Know if you are going to see this you are being a much bigger part of going to "see" an attraction. The people leaving terrible reviews of this place are failing to see the BIG picture! They are wanting something to be entertained for themselves. This is a learning experience. It is a contribution to the American Indian no other people are more deserving of such a project. We have been here MULTIPLE times and it never fails to dissappoint. We did the Volksmarch it was beautiful. The Legends in Light Show is beautiful and a great tribute. You don't want to miss It! This man started this project SOLO! It's amazing the progress that has been done with that in mind. It blows my mind to think someone took on such a feat. He WAS asked to do this. Unlike a previous review states. We will continue to support this memorial and their goal of uplifting the original inhabitants of this land.

This site is a huge rip-off. Don't waste your time and money. They charge ten bucks per person to get in, then they charge four dollars per person to actually get to the unfinished monument. They offer no walking trails from the visitors center to the monument. It left the taste of scam in my mouth.

sculpture is stunning and the museum of native American cultures is fascinating. Spent most of a day here.

I really enjoyed being there. It is so incredible and so much larger than Rushmore. I was there a few years ago and bought a belt buckle that I recently lost. Hoping to replace it without making the trip.

Spectacular. Will return in 100 years when finished.

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE!!!! So much history of native people that once owned this land. Although the sculpture is not complete, it was more interesting than mount rushmoore. Whenever I have the chance I'll come back and see the process!

An amazing story, totally funded by private donations .. NO tax $$. Bus tour is an extra $4 but totally worth it. Allow several hours to see everything, including the Cultural center an museum.

It seems to me very good that they remember those who lived there. The true Americans since they were their lands and have been from the beginning.

The stories behind how this came to be. "We want the white man to know we have heroes too!"

It will be awesome once finished, but it doesn t look like much progress has been made here in a long time and there s not much to see. They did let me carry my dog around inside and even in the theater which was great considering we were on a road trip and didn t have many options.

Huge effort, this beautiful project is worth supporting.

Divine! Tour bus guide was very informative and helpful!

It is very cool, from the road. You can see all you need to see from the road. And your wallet will thank you. Spend your money somewhere else. Somewhere more fun. Which is everything else in the Black Hills.

TOTAL BS!! I like the idea but the question is why in the world is taking sooo long to get thing done ? I jus felt riped off paying $28 entry fee. Its a tourist TRAP! .made a coment jokingly to my wife telling her we will b back when we are 80 to see the completeleted project and a lady next to us said it might not b done then..anyways are we milkin the project or ripin the indians off ey. Very upseting. I would really apreciate a refund !

This place is a scam. You pay $28 to get into the main area, and then pay another couple dollars to get a bus ride up to the incomplete monument. From a video made in 2012, it looks like nothing has changed. They also plan on building a university & an airport. Yes, an AIRPORT. What about your incomplete monument? Like I said, complete scam.

Visited in 2011 loved it. Very informational and I loved the cultural history on display here.

I love this. The first time I went left a deep impression

Total ripoff. Basically you are paying to enter the gift shop. The view is the same as from the road and its super expensive to get anywhere near the monument. Save your money. Not worth it!

A very beautiful place to visit, the scenery is so pretty & very quiet. No noise from the cities of everyday hussle & hussle.

I was excited to see the in progress Crazy Horse monument and visitors center with my family ( 2 kids <7 years old). While the monument and info is great. The visitors center made me feel like I was invading. Great Native American artifacts are inside but with signs everywhere telling me not to do things ( Don t climb on sweat lodge , private area , this is not a drain , do not touch , these are not toys , etc). I understand the need to protect things but it felt like many were assuming all people are bad behaving. Also there is nothing tactile for children to play with. Other than those negative signs it was a good experience.

Tour guides was awesome and the native artifacts was very informative.

A most see!! There is so much history with in those walls it's absolutely amazing!! We were able to watch dances and hear the drums. There is information and artifacts from all Native Americans nation's. It's history in the making as well as holding on to the past...

Scam. They charge you 22 bucks to get in, then you would have to pay more for the bus tour up to the monument. Better off looking at it from the road and saving your money.

Very anticlimactic, did not even get a good view with the price paid.

Although the monument is not finished (because they refuse money from federal resources, which I assume most people can understand) it is still an incredible experience. It IS a nonprofit as your can read literally anywhere on the internet (not sure where other revie wers saw otherwise) as which they rely on entrance fees, merchandise purchases and most importantly donations. Museum is interesting and has information, crafts, art, videos, etc. The educational forum of Indian culture and dance was both fascinating and fun. I can't wait to see it when it's finished, and if people want to see it done quicker then donate! Will recommend to my friends.

I've driven by Crazy Horse a few times in the past 15 years, but my wife and I finally decided to visit when we were in the Black Hills and Custer State Park this past week. Yes, it's more expensive than Mt. Rushmore and no, you don't get a very good look at the monument from a mile away in the museum, but guess what?...It's still IN PROGRESS AND BEING BUILT. The project is not funded by taxpayers, so they have to charge more due to the self-financing of the project. You can pay an extra $4 and take a bus ride to get closer and no you cannot get as close as the trail around Mt Rushmore, but guess what?...It's still a work in PROGRESS! The museum was very nice. They have a nice courtyard with refreshments. The gift shop is nice as well. I thought it was awesome that they have a box or stones, supposedly taken from the monument itself, that you can take with you when you leave. There is a lot more of the mountain to remove before they begin working on the horse's head. We did not stay around to see the laser show in the evening but I heard it's pretty cool.

Thought it was to nuch money for work that isn't conplete. Would like tobsee thevfinishef prduct.

Spent five months towing a trailer and visiting twenty states from Maine to California. Crazy Horse was the most exciting, inspirational, and authentic place we visited. Go. See it all. Immerse yourself in all that it is. It is a remarkable gem in all it's facets.

Far from free. $30 to get in. Buildings well kept and informative. Probably wouldn't have gone had we known it was more than Mt. Rushmore.

They aren't finished carving yet but it will be beautiful when it's done. This is private lands do you pay to get in

Awesome experience! We got to hike to the top of crazy horse and were blown away by the detail of it. Such a cool monument! I'd definitely go to this instead of mount Rushmore. Its bigger, better, and you can see it evolve over time!

I was impressed on my visit to Crazy Horse. Although its not complete, I understand their mission and I think its a worthy cause. I'm a bit disappointed that I probably won't see this completed in my lifetime, I hope it will be in my children's lifetime. $28 for a car load - that gets you into the museum and movie and supports their college and continued carving on the mountain. I love the fact that they are not using government money on this project. Our visit here lasted longer than our visit to Mt Rushmore. There is a lot more here to see. We had a couple ice cream cones from the snack bar and they were good at a fair price. Other snack food was priced fair also. There is a restaurant also but we didn't try the food there. If you bring binoculars or a good lens on your camera, you can watch the guys work on the carving. We enjoyed watching the Native American dancers and found the movie informative. If we don't remember the plight of the Native Americans, it could happen again to another group of people. I'm disappointed our ancestors treated them this way. Its important for this story to be told and remembered.

This should absolutely be on your list of places to visit in the area. Not only is it visually stunning both in and out, but the information shared is important, educational and touching.

CRAZY HORSE in
South Dakota is Just a hop and a skip from mt rushmore.
Stop by, if it's not too pricey for you.alot of interesting things to see inside and out, and they will take you to the top of crazy horse, for a pretty penny.

Great memorial by Korczak Ziolkowski honoring elite Lakota Warrior, Crazy Horse. Although Crazy horse would NEVER allow himself to be photographed, this is assumed to be his face.

What a wonderful memorial to the true first Americans! We owe this and much more to these individuals....when it is finished it will be spectacular! Shame it will not be finished for a longtime

This is crazy!!! Looks sort of small on photo but huge when in person

Would not pay the normal fee to go up here, but twice a year they allow the public to hike up to the face. Once in the summer and once in a fall. I would go during those times. Otherwise not worth it.

An amazing sight! Not yet completed after many years but still in the process of completion, Crazy Horse is a worthwhile visit. Great for all ages to see. Excellent for history buffs and carvers alike!

A must, must see and learn a little about the history of this American territory.

Love that this family has continued on with this magnificent Memorial!

Very pricey to see a monument not completed. Park prices throughout the area are very high. We saw this from the road, took a couple pictures and left. Fee I was over $20.00. It will be nice when it's done.

Beware tourists trap! When it says No Refunds at front gate be suspicious. a cool monument but $30 a car to get in then $4 a head to take the bus for a tour which we couldn't do because of lightning in area. No option to walk because of construction. The views from inside the park are only slightly better than what you see from the road. The museum is cool but not worth the price of admission.

This is a must for anyone who visits South Dakota and Mount Rashmore . This is a place which is under construction and it is funded by the well-wishers and visitors to the site. It is situated in a beautiful place and is visible from almost every angle. Crazy horse was a chieftain and a famous one among the Native Indians of the United States. He is seated on a horse which is galloping and sculpture is on a hill and the work progressing in a slow pace as they have limited funds and the original sculptur is no more. The family of the sculptur is now continuing the work. You have to take a vehicle ride to reach the foot of the hill from the office. They have a exhibition display and a shop where you can buy handicrafts.

Along with Rushmore this was crazy expensive, but pretty neat. The museums are nice.

The semi-annual Volksmarch is awesome. An absolute must. I'd have a tough time justifying paying to go on a normal day though, admire it from the highway.

Such a cool place! We come back every year to see the progress!

Very interesting. Took the short bus tour and learned a lot about the history.

Another stop on a motorcycle tour. Very glad we made it here. The sculpture is shaping up but it won't be completed in my lifetime, nor my children's lifetimes. It's a YUGE undertaking but once completed will be a wonder of the world.
At the guest centre there is a small sculpture to show what it will be when completed and that's the best I'll ever see of it.

I really enjoyed the Crazy Horse Memorial and the story behind it. It's been an active work site for years, and is the life-long legacy of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (A Boston guy of Polish decent). When he died in 1982 his family and others from the family circle have continued this project. Don't be disappointed to see that it's not done yet. It's a huge undertaking, and on even a larger scale than Rushmore, and notice the scale in size if you've just driven from there. Once completed it's supposed to be 563' feet high and 641' feet long, it's just massive. The native Americans aren't taking federal dollars to complete this, so your donations and support are important. I'd love to see it completed in my lifetime, and do plan to go again. Worth the trip. 'Crazy Horse Memorial is to be carved not so much as a lineal likeness, but more as a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse--to his people. With his left hand thrown out pointing in answer to the derisive question asked by a white man, 'Where are your lands now?' he replied, 'My lands are where my dead lie buried.' -Korczak, Sculptor (1908-1982). An amazing tribute to the native American people and their story, and an interesting story about the man who began sculpting it. Watch the film at the visitor center, tour the native American artifacts and the artifacts of the Korczak family, and enjoy your time at this very interesting historical place. $30 per car load, $24 for 2 person car, $12 per person.

I thought this place was awesome I went there in 2011 and am going back in August 2015 can't wait to see the new progress best part is the old man did it by his self without selling out to the government love to spend my money there for your cause

Has come a long way since '93. Beautiful piece with great story both of the monument and parties involved.

It's a good cause and I love that, but 30$ is too much. You can see it from the highway, stop there and take a pick.

This place bears a lot history of USA and aboriginal history. If you visit it without guide, it would be good to surf internet for the history of this place, which is worth to visit.

Not worth visiting, less than 10% is finished but already start to sell tickets, spend your time in Mt Rushmore and the national forrests

The Black Hills are rich with history. My family and I enjoyed learning about the history behind Crazy Horse. It s really neat to see up close all the detail in this monument. Lots of cool artifacts inside about the culture. Beautiful art work.

Go see the Crazyhorse monument!

It's a work in progress that is incredible, even without being done yet. I will definitely be back to see how the progress goes!

Steep entry fee, to see an unfinished carving. Cool but not cool enough to charge that price!

Very informative tour! Interesting seeing a "working" landmark being sculpted out of the mountain!

Pretty neat.
Interesting project. I remember coming here when I was a child and had to return 20 years later.

Out of all the things to do in the Black Hills area this was probably my favorite - I liked this even more than Mt. Rushmore. I did pay the couple of extra bucks to be bused up to the base of the hill. Overall very educational and well worth it.

Love it. I ll send my friends and family here. If you ask nicely and make the proper donation, the very helpful staff can take you to the top. Can t wait to see this again when it s finished.

You pay to enter the visitor center and then pay for the shuttle back to the monument. It is forbidden on foot.

Very disappointing!! It cost $22 to get in, double what Mt Rushmore costs. Bummer!!!

I am sure this will be a fascinating spectacle when it is finished. But how you gonna charge admission to a work in progress! Ask for donations instead!!

They collected $28 to watch a short video and tour the gift shop. The memorial is not done yet. The foundation run by family to complete the memorial with the entry fee (paid by you)
which would take several decades to complete.

Overshadowed by Mount Rushmore, but really shouldn't be. The main building/visitor center was absolutely fantastic. There is a theatre with a short documentary about Crazy Horse himself and the construction of the monument. Tons of really cool Native American artifacts, art and info. Great gift shop too. Highlight of my South Dakota experience.

Amazing, this place is 100% privately funded! So many things to see and learn about from the natives there! I was very moved and will go back! Take the bus ride up closer, well worth it!

This is our second time here, progress is probably faster than what our eye can see....Its HUGE!! Someday, our kids kids will see it completed. So much to see and read about Crazy Horse if you take the time. Take a piece of the spirit of the mountain with you, they're free... But a donation of any amount is appreciated for the rocks you take on your way out .

Absolutely fantastic and unforgettable! The family members are worthy of respect and admiration that they insist on being independent of the government! If you want a quickly-built, hit-and-run fun attraction, this is not for you. Watch the video; learn the history; pay attention to the hard and dangerous work involved; these are honorable people, and 99% of those who visit leave totally awed by the unbelievably beautiful monument and the gorgeous, almost-spiritual environment.

Considering we stole their land and killed their people. Right up there as one of the best.

I loved going here. The scenery is beautiful. Was a great time with family.

Very interesting and fun experience. You have to watch the movie, the history behind it and the lead sculptor are fascinating. And this is from a family that doesn't really care for museums.
While there, there was a Lakota woman and her niece putting on a hoop dancing show. The things she talked about, and the history she gave were great - very interesting. The kids got to participate in the show, and overall, it was a great experience.