📷 Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, Public domainMount Rushmore National Memorial
Keystone, SD
Four presidents carved into Black Hills granite between 1927 and 1941. The Presidential Trail takes you closer.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone in the Black Hills of South Dakota shows four presidents’ heads carved into the granite between October 4, 1927, and October 31, 1941. Gutzon Borglum designed them; after his death in March 1941, his son Lincoln Borglum completed the work. Each face is about 18 meters (60 feet) high, and the mountain stands 1,745 meters (5,725 feet) above sea level. The Lakota call it “Six Grandfathers.” About 2.4 million people visited in 2022.
The Presidential Trail is a loop of just under 1 km (0.6 miles) with 422 steps; the first 0.3 km (0.2 miles) from the Grand View Terrace is paved and wheelchair accessible. Admission to the memorial is free, but there is a parking fee. Lonely Planet suggests arriving before 9 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. when it is quieter; the faces are lit in the evening, so check the times in advance.
For RV travelers: RVs over 29 feet (about 8.8 meters) and vehicles with trailers use a separate lane of the parking complex, and space for large vehicles is limited. Camping and overnight parking are not allowed at the memorial; campgrounds can be found in Black Hills National Forest, which the NPS says has about 30.
- Nearest town
- Keystone, SD
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 43.8791, -103.4591
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Happy Holidays RV ResortMotorhome stopover12 mi from Mount Rushmore National Memorial · 100 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Black Hills RV ParkMotorhome stopover13 mi from Mount Rushmore National MemorialMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Rapid City RV Park & CampgroundMotorhome stopover16 mi from Mount Rushmore National MemorialMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Rapid City - Black Hills KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover20 mi from Mount Rushmore National MemorialTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Elk Mountain CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Mount Rushmore National Memorial · 48 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Black Hills Station RV & CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Mount Rushmore National MemorialTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
All campsites in South Dakota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is in Keystone, SD, at GPS 43.8791, -103.4591. It is about 9 mi from Custer State Park.
Can you camp near Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Grizzly Creek - USFS, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 64 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Badlands and the Black Hills with kids.
What is there to see near Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
Places worth a stop nearby: Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel (5 mi), Sylvan Lake (6 mi), Crazy Horse Memorial (9 mi) and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop (9 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)