Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a large mountain carving in the Black Hills of South Dakota intended to depict the Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse. The project began in the mid-20th century and remains an active, privately funded sculpture and cultural centre.

The site includes the ongoing mountain carving and a visitor complex with exhibits on Native American history, a museum, and viewing areas oriented toward the sculpture. The carving itself is not complete and work has continued over decades under the direction of the founding sculptor’s family.

Korczak Ziolkowski began the carving after being commissioned in the late 1940s, and the project has operated without government funding, relying on donations and visitor revenues. The memorial functions as both an artistic and cultural initiative aimed at honoring Native American heritage.

The memorial is located in the Black Hills southeast of the town of Custer, South Dakota, and is accessible by road from nearby towns and regional highways.

• Founding and Funding: Work on the project began in 1948 under sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and has been privately funded and managed by his family and foundation since its inception.

What to See #

• Mountain Sculpture: The mountain carving itself, an ongoing sculptural work begun in 1948 and still being developed, depicts the Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse on horseback and remains unfinished.
• Visitor Complex and Museum: A visitor complex that includes museum exhibits on Native American history and culture, a cultural centre and viewing terraces for observing the carving and surrounding Black Hills landscape.