- Marvel at the detail of carvings of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt in the granite
- Take a ranger tour to learn historic facts of the area and memorial
- Hike the Presidential Trail to get a close-up view of the faces
- Mount Rushmore is only 415 miles from Cody, Wyoming
Overview
The four men whose faces are sculpted into granite at Mount Rushmore, stand for the history of our nation. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt worked for freedom and equality and are forever memorialized in the side of this mountain.
Hours/Seasons
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open all year, every day except for Christmas Day.
Hours of the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center are as follows:
- May 29 to August 14 – 8 am to 10 pm
- August 15 to September 30 – 8 am to 9 pm
- October 1 to May 28 – 8 am to 5 pm
Fees
There is only a parking fee for cars, motorcycles and RVs of $10, which is good for a whole year.
Highlights
Many find inspiration at Mount Rushmore, seeing the personages of our presidents carved into the granite. But there is much more to do at this national memorial - activities for the whole family.
The Lincoln Borglum Museum displays the story of how Mount Rushmore was built and explains why. The Visitor Center offers ranger presentations and guided walks where you can learn history of the area from knowledgeable experts.
Hiking and walking around Mount Rushmore allows you to experience everything more personally. On the Presidential Trail, you can get a close-up view of the faces. If you like to rough it on strenuous and non-maintained trails, you can hike up Blackberry Trail.
Getting Here
To reach Cody, Wyoming from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, get on US 16A to get on I-90 West in Rapid City. Take exit 9 and use US 14 to arrive right in Cody. It’s about 415 miles and a six-hour and 19 minute drive.
