Crazy Horse MemorialAbout 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.
Best Time to Visit Crazy Horse Memorial
Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial in summer for the warmest weather and full access to outdoor exhibits, or in spring/fall for fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (517 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -11° - 1° | -12° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | -9° - 3° | -9° | 17 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 5.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | -7° - 5° | -6° | 27 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 5.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | -3° - 9° | -1° | 56 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 5.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 2° - 15° | 6° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 5.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.5h |
| June | Very Good | 8° - 20° | 14° | 89 mm | some cloud | 59% | 4.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 15.2h |
| July | Excellent | 11° - 25° | 18° | 71 mm | some cloud | 54% | 4.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.9h |
| August | Excellent | 11° - 24° | 17° | 50 mm | some cloud | 54% | 4.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 5° - 19° | 12° | 40 mm | some cloud | 55% | 4.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 0° - 13° | 3° | 28 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 4.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | -6° - 5° | -6° | 17 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 5.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | -10° - 2° | -10° | 18 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 5.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.8h |
How to Get to Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial is in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota. By car it is commonly reached from Rapid City-roughly a 40-45 mile drive (about 1 hour) using I‑90 west and then US‑16/US‑385 and local Black Hills roads toward Custer/Crazy Horse. There is a visitor center with parking and short paved walks to viewpoints; check seasonal local shuttle or tour options from Rapid City, Keystone or Custer for public transport alternatives.
Tips for Visiting Crazy Horse Memorial
- Arrive early in the day or midweek to avoid the large coach groups that arrive later; early visitors get quieter viewing on the observation terraces and better photo opportunities of the carving in progress.
- Don't skip the on-site museums and sculptor's displays adjacent to the main memorial-the Indian Museum of North America and the sculptor's studio show context and the ongoing work behind the mountain carving.
- Combine a visit with nearby Black Hills attractions (Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park) to make the drive worthwhile-the memorial is most convenient as part of a regional sightseeing loop.