Are you wondering how many days to spend at Mount Rushmore National Memorial? Let’s talk about what activities you won’t want to miss and how much time it takes to get to them all!
How many days should you spend at Mount Rushmore? This memorial is small! You can easily get to all of the can’t-miss spots in about 4-5 hours.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I love Mount Rushmore and can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this beautiful memorial.
Let’s dig deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend at Mount Rushmore.
Can I See Mount Rushmore in One Day?
Yes! Mount Rushmore National Memorial has some great things to do, but you definitely don’t need more than a day to fully experience the memorial. 4-5 hours is sufficient to get through this entire can’t-miss list.
After visiting the main areas at Mount Rushmore (Visitor Center, Sculptor’s Studio, Presidential Trail, etc.), if you want to spend the rest of the day here, I recommend hiking on the Blackberry Trail for an hour or two. You may also enjoy exploring the nearby towns of Keystone and Hill City. We love shopping for souvenirs or riding the steam train!
Custer State Park is near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and spending time here is another great way to further explore the Black Hills. I recommend driving the Needles or Iron Mountain Highways or spending some time near Sylvan Lake.
Planning a trip to South Dakota can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the area? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Mount Rushmore in Two Days
You don’t need to spend two days at Mount Rushmore. However, this area of South Dakota is packed full of incredible activities that can easily keep you busy for a whole summer.
I suggest spending one full day in the Mount Rushmore area as outlined above. Then, if you have another day in South Dakota, visit another national park! Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both within an hour’s drive of Mount Rushmore and you can easily spend a day in either one.
Do you need help with your daily schedule for South Dakota?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the whole area!
Other Things to Consider
Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Mount Rushmore, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:
Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?
If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be much higher, especially near the Fourth of July and Sturgis. While it can be a really fun time to visit the area, you may want to give yourself some extra sightseeing time to account for the extra crowds.
Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?
You can easily visit several other NPS sites, like Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave, Devils Tower National Monument, and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site on your trip to Mount Rushmore. Each area is unique, and you’ll find everything within an hour or two of the park.
Should I Visit Other Parks in the Area?
Yes! There is so much to do in the Rapid City area! Be sure to visit all of the NPS sites listed in the section above, and then add other fun points of interest like Deadwood, Custer State Park, Spearfish, and Crazy Horse.
Mount Rushmore Itinerary Options
If you’re unsure where to visit or how to split your time between parks and monuments on your trip to Mount Rushmore, these itinerary options are for you!
After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.
If you have:
A Weekend in the Black Hills
I recommend spending a half day at Mount Rushmore, a half day at Custer State Park, and a full day at Badlands National Park. If it’s a long weekend, add in Jewel Cave or Wind Cave.
One Week in the Black Hills
You can easily spend a week visiting all the main sights in the Rapid City area, including Badlands, Wind Cave, Deadwood, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Jewel Cave, and Spearfish.
If you’re hoping to get to all the best places and activities in the area, you can get my detailed hour-by-hour itinerary for the Black Hills here!
10 Days in the Dakotas
Day 1 — Fly into Rapid City
Day 2 — Rapid City area
Day 3 — Rapid City area
Day 4 — Rapid City area
Day 5 — Rapid City area, then drive to Devils Tower in the evening (2 hours)
Day 6 — Devils Tower
Day 7 — Drive to Medora, ND (3.5 hours)
Day 8 — Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Day 9 — Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Day 10 — Drive back to Rapid City to catch your flight (4 hours)
2 Weeks in the Black Hills and Wyoming
Day 1 — Fly into Rapid City
Day 2 — Rapid City area
Day 3 — Rapid City area
Day 4 — Rapid City area
Day 5 — Rapid City area in the morning, then drive to Devils Tower in the afternoon (2 hours)
Day 6 — Devils Tower in the morning, then drive to Red Lodge, MT, in the afternoon (5 hours)
Day 7 — Yellowstone National Park
Day 8 — Yellowstone National Park
Day 9 — Yellowstone National Park
Day 10 — Yellowstone National Park, then drive to Grand Teton in the evening (2 hours)
Day 11 — Grand Teton National Park
Day 12 — Grand Teton National Park
Day 13 — Grand Teton National Park
Day 14 — Drive back to Rapid City to catch your flight (8.5 hours)
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the area!
Have an incredible time at Mount Rushmore!
More Mount Rushmore Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Mount Rushmore — the best airports and roads in the area.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
5 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit — the top 5 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Mount Rushmore Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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Planning to drive from texas would like a route for visiting Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone Park and Tetons is possible july6-15.. thanks in advance for your tips!
Hey Sally, you can use the sample schedules in this post as a guideline. You’ll just need to spend less time at each park if you have a shorter amount of time for your trip. If you want a detailed schedule, these itineraries will help with that. Have a great trip!