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Mount Rushmore National MemorialTheme(s): Presidential Parks | |
Description:
Mount Rushmore memorializes the birth, growth, preservation and development of the United States of America. Between 1927 and 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers sculpted the 60-foot busts of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150 years of American history.
Visitors to the memorial come primarily to view the granite sculpture itself, but also of interest is the Sculptor's Studio built under the direction of the artist, Gutzon Borglum, in 1939. Unique plaster models and tools related to the sculpting process are displayed there.
Recently, ten years of redevelopment work culminated with the completion of extensive new visitor facilities. These include a new Visitor Center and Museum and the Presidential Trail, a walking trail and boardwalk providing spectacular close-up views of the mountain sculpture.
The memorial serves as home to many animals and plants representative of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The geologic formations of the heart of the Black Hills region are also evident at Mount Rushmore, including large outcrops of granite and mica schist.
Designations:
National Memorial (March 3, 1925)
Accessibility:
All facilities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial are accessible for the mobility impaired. Closed captioning of all films is provided. Braille and large-print copies of park brochure are available upon request.
Getting Around:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial facilities are concentrated in a central area with pedestrian access from parking. Plan on at least a 2 hour stay to fully enjoy the memorial.
Activites:
Educational Programs | Wildlife Viewing | Nature Walks | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Nature: Mountains | And more.
Directions to Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Plane:
Rapid City Regional Airport: 35 miles from memorial in Rapid City, SD.
Car:
Visitors traveling on I-90 should exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Visitors coming from the south should follow Highway 385 north to Highway 244, which is the road leading to the memorial.
Public Transportation
Rental cars or private tour companies can bring visitors to the memorial from Rapid City, SD. Personal vehicles are the most common form of transportation. No public transportation options exist.
Attractions:
Black Hills National Forest
Phone:605-673-2251
Custer State Park
Nearby Parks:
Badlands National Park (85 miles)
Devils Tower National Monument (130 miles)
Jewel Cave National Monument (40 miles)
Yellowstone National Park (460 miles)
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South Dakota Road Maps (SD Maps)
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