Language
English
Spanish
Chinese
The epic 5,725-foot tall monument features the 60-foot granite carved faces of the four United States presidents of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore National Memorial was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln Borglum between 1927-39 and the idea was thought up by historian Doane Robinson to bring tourists to the Black Hills area of South Dakota. The concept worked as the national landmark on 1,278 acres is visited by almost three million people every year. Nearby related attractions include Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, Presidential Trail and the Sculptor's Studio.
The mighty forces of man and nature meet in Mt Rushmore to create a monument that has come to symbolize an entire nation. Designed into a mighty granite mountain Rushmore is located in the Black Hills in Keystone, South Dakota. Construction of the 60-foot likenesses of the faces of four American presidents began in 1927 and was completed in 1941.
The father-son duo of Gutzon Borglum and Lincoln Borglum were the sculptors behind the masterpiece – a labor that required the use of dynamite, jackhammers, chisels and 400 workers. It was Gutzon Borglum who decided that the mountain should be shaped into the faces of four past presidents. Each one was selected because he was instrumental in shaping the character of the country - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Interestingly enough, the patriotic Mount Rushmore sculpture was intended as a tourist attraction and today it is just that. Nearly three million people visit the monument each year. For the state of South Dakota Mt Rushmore National Memorial is noted as its foremost tourist attraction. Travelers visiting Mount Rushmore will of course view the sculpture on the mountainside, but there are other things you can do as well.
• Walk the Presidential Trail to get up close to the monument - weather permitting.
• Spend some time at the Lincoln Borglum Visitors Center to learn more about Mount Rushmore’s history, design and construction.
• From May to September, you can visit the Sculptor’s Studio to view a scale model of the mountain.
• Stay for the Evening Lighting Ceremony - mid-May to late September.
One of the smartest ways to plan a Mount Rushmore vacation is to make it part of a complete tour package that takes you to other famous national parks and monuments within relatively close proximity to Mount Rushmore. Tours from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone are quite popular but there are many other intriguing stops you can make on your trip.
Consider a multi-day vacation package that bundles Mount Rushmore with:
• Grand Teton National Park, home to diverse wildlife and breathtaking vistas.
• Arches National Park, renowned for its mesmerizing natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch.
• Badlands National Park, where rugged terrain meets serene prairies in a captivating landscape. Explore the powerful pinnacles and peaceful prairies with a Badlands tour.
• Grand Canyon National Park’s West Rim, where the awe-inspiring Skywalk Bridge offers unparalleled views of the canyon.
• Yellowstone National Park, a wonderland of geothermal features. Join a Yellowstone National Park tour to experience Yellowstone’s iridescent lakes and world famous Old Faithful geyser
Many of these tours go from Denver to Mount Rushmore and give you the added benefit of visiting such places as Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and the Rocky Mountains. Of course, before you head out to the other wonderful locations, the tours also allow you to explore fantastic Denver, Colorado.
Stop by the Red Rocks Park to see the large red sandstone rock formations, the most famous among them being Creation Rock, Ship Rock and Stage Rock. While in Denver, you can also go for a walk through the 16th Street Mall. Exciting shops, restaurants and cafes beckon to you as you stroll along the Mall’s unique mile-long pedestrian walkway. It was designed by the world renowned architect I.M Pei to resemble the skin of a diamondback rattlesnake.
With multi-day Mt Rushmore tour packages, you can travel from location to location in the comfort of a modern air-conditioned tour bus. The buses are built for your maximum sightseeing pleasure to ensure you do not miss the spectacular scenery along your journey. Additionally, knowledgeable and personable tour guides provide facts and share interesting tales about the different places on your tour’s itinerary.
Other advantages of a package tour may include:
• bundled costs of hotel stay, meals and admission to some attractions
• the opportunity to stick with the group or venture out on your own
• making friends from around the world
You'll also receive exclusive offers and latest travel deals!
Sign Me Up