We went in the evening where it was still light enough to take photos by the monument then visited the gift shop while we waited to see the lighting. The only thing we regret is that we walked around too much that there wasn't room in the auditorium to watch the video but we could hear it. It made me proud to hear the legacy that the presidents left and the importance of preserving the country and its beautiful land.
This was definitely a bucket list must! It did not disappoint. What an amazing piece of history. The sculptor's studio was a great place to see as well, as it shows what the monument was supposed to look like but with no working elevator it was quite a walk down and climb back up the steps so be prepared. The monument itself was very easy to access and the parking structure is very conveniently located right at the entrance. Wide variety of food and shopping choices in the monument area too. Don't forget your national park/monument stamps!
Very awesome place,but the Crazy Horse Memorial will dwarf MT Rushmore when it is finished!
The park was clean. The audio tour was really great!
Love the history here. This is a must visit place to see when in the area. Check out the night ceremony. Its worth the wait.
Beautiful drive up the mountain and the views across the mountains we're almost breath taking.
The monument was impressive and the park was easy to get walk around.
It's alright, you see it and then a minute later your ready to go. It would be better if i could go full nick cage and go to that little room up there and see all the secrets. But as-is it's alright. Great gift shop.
So impressive! Very well organized to accommodate all the visitors.
Lots of history to be learned here. Great light show at 8pm. Neat museum inside that goes through how such incredible sculptures are made.
Lovely place. Great place for a family visit and a patriotic feel. Couldn't go closer as path was under construction. Good Canteen. Food may need a bit of improvement.
Great place to bring the kids. It is commercialized, as expected. You can walk the trail and go on a tour of the construction of the memorial.
I always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore. I was not disappointed. It is a must see
A must see. We were there at dusk and stayed for the lighting ceremony. It was worth it. Truly an impressive sight.
This is a US National Monument allegedly open to the public. Upon entering, I was informed my disability pass with the NPS meant nothing because parking, food & the gift shop weren't run by the NPS.
Next, most of the park including visitors center and amphitheater were closed. You essentially get your photos and that's it. Shame on the Park Service
We read about Mt. Rushmore with our kids before we went. They could tell us many facts while going around the path, which was easy to walk (there are stairs) and was not too crowded. We enjoyed sampling Jefferson's vanilla ice cream. The kids also liked finding our state in the Avenue of Flags (flag and date admitted as a state). The gift shop was crazy busy and the longest wait we encountered. Otherwise was worth the visit.
I have been trying to come back out here for years so I went on a road trip to see it in the winter. The place was practically empty. I felt I had it all to myself. The trails were closed because its winter time and there is a major construction project going on. The cafe was a great place to grab lunch and a hot chocolate. The bison stew was delicious. Inside the cafe they also have a fireplace with a large TV showing a movie about the history of MT Rushmore. It was very interesting and a nice ambiance. Parking was $10 and very convenient to pay when you come into the parl or leaving at the little kiosks. There are also a lot of cool things to see on your way to the park. There was a frozen lake that you could fish in. I stopped here to take some pictures and therr was only one other couple in the parking area.
Would definitely visit often if I lived in the area.
Totally worth the trip! This was about halfway through our road trip, and it was one of the most memorable places we stopped. On top of that, it was one of the cheapest places we stopped!
Very nice, clean and best of all no pets. Don't get me wrong I have had dogs my whole childhood and adult life, but never took them on vacation. Please leave pets at home, only you and a passing 2 year old like your dog.
Everyone has seen pictures but you have to see it in person and the area is so beautiful.
Rushmore is always a good time. Wish you could get closer, from an artists perspective of love to see the rock up close. But hey, it's a national monument.
Very cool place to stop for an hour. Costs $10 to park which isnt bad and the pass is good for all year with that vehicle.
I thought I would go and just take a few pictures, but when I got there it was just so magnificent.
Really great. Love the junior ranger program for little kids. Wouldn't want to miss it while visiting Rapid City!!!
Was so happy to get to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument! It is magnificent!!! The area is kept clean, has gift shopping, snacks like ice cream, and clean public bathrooms. I think there is more food wise on nice days, but I was there on an overcast/rainy day.
I had a blast there. Due to maintenance on the faces, I couldn't get very close, but it was fun. Park Rangers and park workers were kind and helpful. Good parking.
Amazing & memorable experience!! In late May they begin showing their nightly lighting ceremonies, where they light up the monument for around 45 minutes each night. It was great to see so many patriotic people there for the viewing of a true national treasure!!
It is worth the parking fee to see this place! There are lots of things to do when you get there including a free video and museum. They also have a nice trail you can walk to to view the memorial more closely. I didn't plan well and I ate there. The food is overpriced (not a surprise) but the quality was very good. Other then that amazing.
I think I was expecting something a little different. I still enjoyed it. We didn't do the audio tour, it was hot and towards the end of the day. Might have been better if we did.
Mount Rushmore has come clean souvenirs and crispy mountain air!
This was an emotionally humbling experience that makes you feel proud to be a citizen of this country.
I guess you kind of "have to" go here, but it was underwhelming, especially given that everything was under construction.
I love visiting Mount Rushmore, beautiful place to visit to just get away. The views are spectacular and the hike is breathtaking, will be bringing the family back soon.
We loved Mt Rushmore! The monument was awesome as was the museum!
Magnificent. As you are climbing the mountain in your vehicle you get glimpses of the faces of our past. As you get to the top and you first get out of your vehicle the feeling of the greatness the artist created. As you walk to the platform you see the rocks surrounding the faces and you can see why he chose this particular place to start carving. The detail of these men are amazing, you feel that they are standing behind a stage. For the artist to invision and create this awe inspiring mountain carving. Created by hand is ingenious to put that much heart and soul into this beautiful creation of such magnitude is incomprehensible. Imagine the gratification and relief he must have felt when it was completed 20 years later. Thank you to the artist and to the people who are preserving this monument.
Not sure how Mount Rushmore would NOT get 5 stars. True work of art at a grand scale. A beautiful wonder in America. Stunning! Amazing! A place every American should see.
Please provide more American made items in the shop. Handcrafted items seem more fitting for this lovely place. Not a bunch of China trinkets.
It was under construction but overall very neat. They have good ice cream.
Kind of out the way and not too much to here except see the monument and leave. You have to do it at least once though. Was construction as well when I visited.
I love Mount Rushmore. This monumne is a beautiful place to go with family or friends. It has great viewing points of the monument and also other things to do.
Was pretty amazing, and the scale of the monument is just incredible.
You've seen the pictures.... You've seen the park. All I can say is now I've been there.
I get a chill every time I see it. An American jewel for sure. A 50 mile no-fly-zone radius should be enforced so that there are no accident's. Ever!
A great National Monument to visit with your family. There is food and shopping along with the view and history but expect tourist attraction prices
I have been waiting to see this since I first read about it in my children's encyclopedia. Amazing.
Four giant heads chiseled out of the side of a mountain... took thousands of workers and some significant time to accomplish... impressive... it's a landmark and a tourist hot spot... fun to look at and to be able to say you've been... I've gone, and you definitely should too...
A must do. Get here early if you plan on visiting. There is a lot of parking but it can be a bit cumbersome when it's busy. You do have to pay to park. One thing worth noting is that, if you have national park passes (annual,etc.) You still have to pay. Mount Rushmore is not covered by those passes.
A magnificent tribute to four great Presidents that every American should see. The history of the monument is worth the drive...go!
Really neat to see....good ice cream and enjoyed vistor's center
Way more beautiful than you can imagine if you've never been to South Dakota before.
I hear gripes about how it's not as big as people expect. Advertising makes everything more incredible than it is. Look at when it was carved then just enjoy.
Nice place to visit with a historical value. It's surrounded by amazing Black hills with opportunities to go for a variety of adventures.
Loved it... Would have given 5 stars if two of the trails hadn't been closed off
Must see place for your bucket list. Lots to do on your way there.
It was good the trails were closed though so you only got a .2 mile walk
Impressive engineering in a beautiful natural setting. A must see! To be able to visit a national site should be available free of charge, parking included. Unfortunately they are replacing their awesome parking staff with automatic stalls.
This National Park is pretty amazing. You still have to pay 10 dollars for parking even if are a national parks pass holder.
Cool sights. Very Informative. Checkout some of the roads around it. Great views.
We went in daytime and then we went back at night for the lighting. I am a Veteran I got to fold the US FLAG, very humbling to me. Something I will never forget
Loved the Mounument, went for the 4th of July celebration.
Was amazed with this site, gorgeous work. Worth to visit. I can stare at this mountain for hours literally. Went up summer time so, sky was blue, weather was nice and just beautiful. I really want to see it again:)
I love our National Parks! Visiting Mount Rushmore was disappointing. Warning the parking lot is run by a 3rd party! You will pay! It is very crowded and the people running it are rude. Once in the park, hired staff (not rangers) are uncaring. I felt it was a bother to ask questions to the lady working at the information center. She was on her phone and picking her nose! EEEWWWW!!!!
Awesome place to visit, ita REALLY out of the way for most people and there isn't much else close to see but if your traveling and trying to get to know America you should go here, its massive and amazing. The Crazy Horse carving is somewhat close so if you go here you should also stop there to see the work in progress
Trails were closed smack in the middle of tourists seasons.
The presidents were welcoming, for the most part.
Beautiful place, but too much like a tourist trap. If there was more focus on the monument and natural beauty surrounding the hills it would feel like a more genuine experience. As it is, it's still worth visiting but it feels very commercialized.
5/25/20 partial open, don't waste time and gas you are able to see only the info and restrooms. Can't going the trail. All are closed.
It was beautiful. If you have the chance to go you should take it! You can learn alot about how it was made and the people who worked on it.
$20 to get in per car and not per person which was nice. Easy parking and quick walk to monument. We didn't order the food there because it was expensive.
Had so much fun. Hated the construction work happening but I know it was for the best!!!
Saw Mt Rushmore 40 years ago and again last week. The facilities are beautiful and huge. You can get so much closer to the heads than years ago. Very impressive. Everyone should see Mt Rushmore at least once!
Growing up I'd never heard great things about Mt. Rushmore. But we were traveling through this area to get to Yellowstone so how can you NOT go? I was SUPER pleasantly surprised! The surrounding area is very pretty. The monuments themselves have nice visitors centers. We really enjoyed it. <3
Nice area, see it all. These were not as big as I thought. The Black Hills are the real treasure.
Beautiful view and love the town with all the shops!
Very cool only 10 dollars for parking with a camper trailer.
A little disappointing..they are doing construction so the beautiful walk way with the flags and the stone ampatheatre area are all torn up. You cannot do any of the walking under the momument.
Couldn't get close enough but itv was OK to check out for the day
Despite this being my first visit, I have always felt that Mount Rushmore is a place every American should see if they are traveling across country by car. It's $10 to get in and park. The Memorial and surrounds are very impressive; you can see it long before you pay to get in, and it's even more imposing up close. There is an expansive gift shop, a couple restaurants, a cafe and clean bathrooms. A very worthwhile stop, especially considering that Crazy Horse and Custer Park are also right nearby.
This is awesome place to visit, and your pass is good til the end of the year but its food and gifts are a little pricey
Somewhat of a disappointment that when I arrived they were doing remodeling but the didn't inform you of this until you were inside, but they were not to proud to charge you full admission price.
I remember coming here in the summer of 2011. This was a nice view. Really huge figures. Crazy horse Monument was also a great view. You can buy a a part of it from the store.
One of the most breathtaking wonders that the United States has that no one should ever avoid visiting. I've gone twice and both times it's been so exciting to visit that i get butterflies in my stomach as i walk from the parking lot to the edge of the amphitheatre just to stand there and look up at Rushmore. Truly a sight to behold.
It s free ! But parking is 10 dollars. Bring a hat, sunblock if visiting in summer, bring a jacket -layers if fall because weather changes drastically due to elevation.
I loved this place but was disappointed that half of it was closed off.
Just an amazing monument to see! This was our 2nd time there and loved it just as much as the 1st time!
Definitely worth to check out. I wish the trails were more handicap accessible though. The rocks are sparkly even on the ground. So amazing. The cafe was to busy for us to check out at the time and the gift shop was a lil overpriced. But if you are going to mount rushmore check out the black hills national park while you are there. Also they have a badlands jerky...buffalo jerky pheasant jerky! Oh i wish we got that here . so delicious. Safe travels.
