Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Review

To the Point

I really had no idea what to expect and was in awe as we came near this National Memorial because one carved face - that of George Washington - could be seen from a distance. It was a great introduction.

We spent about 4 hours total here and feel we did justice to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. If you have more time and are with children you might want to go to every ranger led talk. We didn’t so 3-4 hours was enough time.

I am so glad we went. I’m not exactly sure why given my politics but I think if nothing else the enormity of the work involved in carving these 4 faces is amazing. I focused more on that than I did the people behind the faces truthfully. Depending on your feelings you will take away various thoughts and emotions.

This is a wonderful destination and one I would highly recommend no matter what your age. Small children will enjoy it though I would say children under 5 will not have any understanding of what they are seeing so bring some toys for them or buy something in the gift/bookstore to keep them busy.

A Closer View

Mount Rushmore is a National Memorial representing the first 150 years of American History. George Washington represented the birth of our country. Thomas Jefferson symbolized expansion both in the words of the Declaration of Independence and later in the expansion of our nation through the Louisiana Purchase. Preservation of the union and a nation where all were free and equal was at the heart of Abraham Lincoln. Many wonder (including us) why Theodore Roosevelt was chosen. As it is told he represented the development of our country.

Mount Rushmore is open year round except Christmas Day. The hours are 8:00 am - 10:00 pm in the summer and 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in the winter. There is no fee to get in however there is an $8.00 fee to park in the garage. (If you have bikes on your car roof the garage has an open top level.) National Park passes are not good for the parking garage.

Mount Rushmore is in Keystone, South Dakota, 25 miles southwest of Rapid City via U.S 16 and 3 miles from Keystone via U.S 16A and S.Dak. 244. It was not hard to find!

Although their material says that all facilities are accessible for the mobility impaired the trail I mention below has stairs. Most park grounds and exhibits are accessible to people with disabilities but as I said you will need help or forgo some of the trail. There is a lower level and accommodations can be made to access this area. Braille and large-print copies of park brochures are available upon request.

Tip: No matter how warm the day you will probably be here until 10:00p.m. It gets surprising cool and you’ll be glad you have something warm to wear.

The Avenue of Flags is a walkway of all the flags of the states. They are arranged in alphabetical order. The date of incorporation is on the structure that holds the flag. For example we read 1788 on the Massachusetts flag.

In the Lincoln Borglum Museum you’ll find exhibits on the carving of Mount Rushmore, the presidents, the sculptor, the workers and the history of the United States.

I suggest watching the orientation film called Mount Rushmore- The Shrine, narrated by Tom Brokaw.

There was a children’s program at 2:00 pm with a ranger talking to kids about Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

The main loop of the park is called the Presidential Trail. This is a short .5 mile trail. Trail isn’t really the correct word either. It is a beautiful wooden boardwalk with benches to sit on and amazing views of the faces from every angle. There are many close up views though at no time are you at all "eye to eye" with the faces. In fact there are viewing scopes. It would be a good idea to bring binoculars to get a real close up of these faces.

The loop has 240 steps on one side and 140 on the other. The 140 are stone and not as smooth but less strenuous. There is a warning that it is strenuous but it really wasn’t. So I would recommend going up the 240 steps and down the 140 – believe it or not I think that is the easier way. The “trail” continues down via a series of staircases to the Sculptor’s Studio. The sculptor’s studio, which is closed in the winter, shows models and tools used in the carving process.

Last but not least you will want to (You really must) stay for the Evening Lighting Ceremony. The sculpture is illuminated nightly year round. From May-August a lighting program is held in the park’s huge 3,000 person amphitheater at 9:00 pm. It was full. Get there a bit early. There were more than 3,000 people there so some stood. In September it begins at 8:00 pm and from October through April it is illuminated at dusk but there is no program.

The program consists of a brief (15 minute) ranger talk. The night we were there she talked about sacrifice and focused on Lincoln. Then there is a 20 minute video called “Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy” and finally the sculpture gets lit as the National Anthem plays. Even a radical like myself who believes that Columbus did not discover America and that Native Americans should be the ones carved in stone was moved by this. At the end we were asked to stand and sing “America”, and then Boy Scouts and firefighters took down the flag. This Evening Lighting Ceremony lasts for 30 minutes leaving just enough time to go into the ice cream/fudge store.

Jo's Viewpoint

I like it!