Visiting Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial offers a unique national park opportunity. Please protect your park so it is enjoyable for everyone. The natural and cultural resources are protected. Picking up rocks, collecting plants or feeding wildlife is prohibited. Climbing Mount Rushmore itself is also prohibited. There are many climbing opportunities at the Memorial on other rock outcrops. A climbing brochure is available in the Information Center and Lincoln Borglum Museum. Visitors as asked to stay on established walking trails and hard surfaces at all times. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended during your visit to the Memorial.
The Memorial is best viewed and photographed in morning light. You can find good viewing spots at the Grand View Terrace, Borglum View Terrace, the amphitheater, Presidential Trail, along with the Avenue of Flags and terrace near the Sculptor’s Studio. At Mount Rushmore warm days and cool nights are common in the summer, but July and August are typically hot. Moderate temperatures usually prevail in the winter months with some below zero temperatures. Afternoon thunderstorms in the summer may bring damaging hail and on occasion fog may obscure any view of the Memorial. Snow may fall as early as September and may last until mid-May.
Pets are only allowed in the two pet walking areas at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The pet walking areas are located at the end of both upper parking garages. Licensed guide dogs are exempt.
Most of Mount Rushmore is wheelchair accessible. Vehicles are able to unload mobility-impaired visitors in front of the main entryway and then park in the parking structure. Ask about accessible programs and alternatives that may be available at the Information Center or Lincoln Borglum Museum. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the Information Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevators are accessible from the Grand View Terrace to the museum lobby and amphitheater. The dining facility and gift shop are wheelchair accessible. A portion of the Presidential Trail is surfaced to accommodate wheelchairs. Check with the ranger at the Information Center if you are mobility-impaired and want to visit the Sculptor’s Studio. For visitors with vision impairments there is a free Braille version of the official park brochure and models of the sculpture are available to touch in the Information Center and Lincoln Borglum Museum. For hearing impairments a variety of publications are available at the Information Center and Lincoln Borglum Museum. The orientation film and amphitheater program are captioned.
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