Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Keystone, South Dakota · Historic Site · Accessibility score 1.7/5
Address: 13000 Highway 244, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: (605) 574-2523
About
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the massive carved faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln on a granite mountainside in South Dakota's Black Hills. The sculpture stands 60 feet tall and draws nearly three million visitors each year.
The memorial's main viewing area, the Grand View Terrace, provides a dramatic face-to-face perspective of the four presidents. From here, you can take in the full scope of sculptor Gutzon Borglum's vision, which took 14 years to complete. The Avenue of Flags, lined with flags from all 56 states and territories, leads visitors toward the terrace in a memorable approach.
The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum offers exhibits on the memorial's construction, including original tools and historical photographs. A short film tells the story of how workers carved the mountain between 1927 and 1941. The Sculptor's Studio displays Borglum's original models and plaster studies.
Visitors should plan for weather that can shift quickly in the Black Hills. Summer evenings feature a lighting ceremony with a ranger program, which is a highlight many visitors recommend. The memorial is open year-round, though some facilities have seasonal hours.
The surrounding area offers additional attractions including Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the historic town of Keystone. Many visitors combine a Mount Rushmore trip with a drive along Iron Mountain Road, known for its tunnels that frame the memorial in the distance. The memorial's address is 13000 Highway 244, Building 31, Suite 1, Keystone, SD 57751.
Accessibility
Mount Rushmore provides accessible pathways to its primary viewing areas. The Grand View Terrace, which offers the main view of the sculpture, is reached via paved, level surfaces. The Avenue of Flags walkway leading to the terrace is also accessible. A drop-off area is located right in front of the main entrance for visitors who need closer access.
Loaner wheelchairs are available at the Information Center, located near the main entrance just across from the restrooms. The restrooms at this location are accessible. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum are accessible to wheelchair users and include exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater.
The Presidential Trail, a boardwalk-style path that winds closer to the base of the sculpture, includes stairs on portions of its route. Visitors using wheelchairs or mobility devices can access the upper sections of the trail but should be aware that not all segments are barrier-free.
Parking is available in a multi-level parking structure. For visitors who prefer guided tours, Black Hills Open-Top-Tours operates convertible top vans and minivans that can accommodate up to three wheelchairs or scooters at a time.
Contact Mount Rushmore National Memorial directly at (605) 574-2523 for the most current details on accessibility features, service animal policies, and any seasonal changes to accessible routes or facilities.
More accessible places in South Dakota
- Rushmore Tramway Adventures (Keystone)
- Big Thunder Gold Mine (Keystone)
- 1880 Train (Black Hills Central Railroad) (Hill City)
- Jewel Cave National Monument (Custer)
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (Philip)
- Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center (Chamberlain)