Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a large-scale granite sculpture carved into the southeastern face of the Black Hills in South Dakota featuring the heads of four U.S. presidents. Work on the monument began in 1927 under sculptor Gutzon Borglum and continued into the early 1940s.

The site provides a close view of the 60-foot-high carved presidential faces and an interpretive plaza with exhibits about the monument’s design and construction. A paved loop trail and viewing terraces allow visitors to approach the sculpture and read signage about the carving process and symbolism.

Seasonal programs and ranger-led talks are commonly offered, and the visitor complex includes a museum, audio-visual orientation, and short trails that lead to additional viewpoints. The site is configured for vehicle access with a parking area and short walk to the main plaza.

Sculpture of the four presidents began in 1927 under Gutzon Borglum and continued until about 1941, with work completed after Borglum’s death by his son, Lincoln Borglum. The project was conceived in the 1920s and funded through a combination of federal and private contributions.

Located near the town of Keystone in the Black Hills region of western South Dakota, the monument sits on federal land managed for visitor access and conservation, roughly within driving distance of Rapid City.

• Sculpture scale: Each presidential face is about 60 feet tall, making the sculptures visible from a distance and forming a monumental roadside landmark.
• Lighting and ceremonies: An evening illumination program runs in summer months for scheduled ceremonies; timing and availability vary seasonally.

What to See #

• Presidential sculptures: A 60-foot-high sculpted head-and-shoulders representation for each of four U.S. presidents carved into a granite face, forming the core visual element of the site.
• Presidential Trail: A short network of paved paths and boardwalks that includes viewpoints and interpretive signs and forms a roughly 0.6-mile loop for visitors to approach the sculpture base.
• Sculptor's studio: A small on-site studio used by the sculptor during carving and now interpreted as part of the visitor experience, containing tools and displays about the carving process.