Mount Rushmore is a sight you’ve probably seen before, 59 ft tall portrait of four presidents carved into the rock, one of the most famous symbols of the USA. The national monument is located near the town of Keystone in South Dakota, and it is visited by two million people each year. Which presidents are immortalized in the rock, and how much did it cost to build the monument?
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The Presidents Carved into the Rock Are Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln
The idea to carve important figures from American history into the rock was proposed in the early 1920s by historian Doane Robinson. The idea made sense, as tourism is one of the main sources of income for South Dakota, and for patriots, the U.S. presidents carved into the rock were something that every American should see at least once in their lifetime.
Construction of the monument began in 1927, and from the outset, it was clear which four presidents would be immortalized to represent the then 130-year-old history of the United States. From left to right on Mount Rushmore are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Carving the statues at Mount Rushmore continued until October 31, 1941. Unfortunately, the creator of the portraits, Gutzon Borglum, did not live to see the completion. He died of a pulmonary embolism about six months before the work was finished, and his son, Lincoln Borglum, had to take over the project. The positive aspect was that, during the entire construction, no one died, which was relatively rare for such large-scale projects at the time. The project involved 400 workers.
The construction of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial cost $989,992.32 at the time, which is equivalent to $23,670,184 in the value of the dollar in 2025.
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Interesting Facts about Mount Rushmore
🗿 How the Presidents Were Chosen for Mount Rushmore
The names of three of the presidents carved into Mount Rushmore were clear from the beginning: George Washington, the first president of the USA; Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence; and Abraham Lincoln, who kept the country together during the Civil War.
The choice for the fourth president was debated, with various people advocating for Woodrow Wilson or Theodore Roosevelt. Ultimately, Roosevelt was selected.
⛰️ Hidden Room Inside the Rock
Mount Rushmore has a hidden room inside the rock that was meant to serve as a Hall of American History. This room was planned to be adorned with busts of famous Americans and to display important documents from U.S. history.
However, during the construction, funds ran out, and the U.S. government reduced the budget, mandating that only the portraits could be continued. As a result, the Hall remains unfinished and inaccessible, although in 1998, documents detailing the construction of Mount Rushmore were placed inside.
📛 How the Name Mount Rushmore Came About
The name Mount Rushmore has nothing to do with the presidents. The rock was named around 1885, when New York lawyer Charles E. Rushmore passed through the area. He asked his guide what the name of the rock was.
The guide responded that the rock didn’t have a name, but from then on, they would call it Rushmore. Charles E. Rushmore later became one of the first donors who financially contributed to the construction of the monument.
📏 How Tall Are the Presidential Portraits?
The statues of the presidents at Mount Rushmore are actually smaller than they appear in photos and videos. The heads measure only 59 ft tall. For comparison, the Statue of Liberty stands 151 ft tall.
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How to Visit Mount Rushmore
🗺️ Where Mount Rushmore Is Located
Mount Rushmore is located near the town of Keystone in South Dakota. The nearest larger city is Rapid City, and the monument is surrounded by the Black Hills mountain range. Check out Mount Rushmore on Google Maps.
🚗 How to Get to Mount Rushmore
I recommend renting a car for the trip to Mount Rushmore. From Interstate I-90, take the exit in Rapid City. Continue southwest on U.S. Highway 16 to Keystone, and then take Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Public transportation is less convenient; although Greyhound buses go to Rapid City, there is no regular public transport directly to the monument. However, you can use a paid tour with transportation.
🅿️ Parking at Mount Rushmore
There is a large parking lot at Mount Rushmore for hundreds of cars, and the fee for a personal vehicle is $10.00 (updated in February 2025). The parking pass is valid for one year, and payment can be made by card.
🎟️ Admission to Mount Rushmore
Admission to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is free, and no prior reservation is required. The only charge is for parking.
🕒 Mount Rushmore Opening Hours
Mount Rushmore is open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. From early October to early March, it closes at 9:00 PM.
The visitor centers and food stands are typically open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though operating hours may change based on the season or weather.
📅 When to Visit Mount Rushmore
The peak season at Mount Rushmore is from June to August, when the site sees the most visitors. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit early in the morning, preferably before 9:00 AM. If you’re not a morning person, plan your visit after 3:30 PM.
May, September, and October still offer good weather with fewer tourists.
🛏️ Hotels Near Mount Rushmore
There are plenty of cabins and motels around Mount Rushmore where you can stay. The largest selection is in the towns of Custer, Keystone, and Rapid City. During peak season, accommodations may be limited, so it’s recommended to book early.
💡 Good to Know Before Visiting Mount Rushmore
If you’re planning a visit in the afternoon, wait until dusk for the interesting lighting ceremony of Mount Rushmore. Restrooms are available at the visitor center, which also has a souvenir shop and light snacks.
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Photos of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
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