Visiting Mount Rushmore with Kids: Honest Tips from a Mom Who’s Been Twice
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If you’re planning a trip to the Black Hills, chances are Mount Rushmore is already on your itinerary.
It’s one of those places that almost feels like a rite of passage on a South Dakota vacation.
But before our first visit, I had a lot of questions.
How much time do you really need?
Is it worth visiting with kids?
Should you stay for the Evening Lighting Ceremony?
And is the Presidential Trail actually worth walking?
After visiting Mount Rushmore twice with our family, once when our boys were 7 and 5 and again with four boys ages 4, 6, 10, and 12, I’ve realized there’s no one “right” way to experience it.
Whether you have one hour or an entire afternoon, here’s what I’d want another mom to know before visiting Mount Rushmore.
Is Mount Rushmore Worth Visiting?
If it’s your first trip to the Black Hills, my answer is an easy yes.
Mount Rushmore is one of those places that’s even more impressive in person than I expected.
I’d seen countless photos over the years, so I thought I knew what to expect. But standing there and seeing it with my own eyes was a completely different experience.
The size of the sculpture and the setting made it feel so much more incredible than any picture could capture.
We’ve now visited twice with our family, and one of my favorite parts has been seeing how differently our kids experienced it.
The first time we visited, our older boys were 7 and 5. They enjoyed it, but I don’t think they fully understood what they were seeing.
When we returned a few years later, they actually asked to go back because they didn’t remember much from their first visit. This time, they appreciated it in a completely different way.
That’s one of the things I love most about traveling with kids.
The same destination can become a completely new experience as they grow, and getting to see that through their eyes is part of what makes family travel so special.
How Much Time Do You Really Need at Mount Rushmore?
One of the biggest misconceptions about visiting Mount Rushmore is that you need to dedicate half a day to it.
The truth is, you really don’t.
If your goal is simply to see Mount Rushmore, take a few photos, and soak in the views, you can easily do that in an hour or less.
On the other hand, if you’d like to walk the Presidential Trail, explore the visitor center, browse the gift shop, enjoy some ice cream, or stay for the Evening Lighting Ceremony, you could easily spend several hours here.
There isn’t a right or wrong amount of time to spend at Mount Rushmore.
It all depends on what you want to experience and how it fits into the rest of your Black Hills vacation.
If you’re still deciding where to stay, check out my guide on Where to Stay in the Black Hills with Kids, where I compare Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Spearfish to help you choose the best home base for your family.
Here’s how I’d think about it:
| If you want to… | Typical Visit Time |
|---|---|
| See Mount Rushmore and take a few photos. | 30–60 minutes |
| Walk to the boardwalk on the Presidential Trail for additional views. | 1–1½ hours |
| Walk the full Presidential Trail, visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Sculptor’s Studio, and browse the gift shops. | 2–3 hours |
| Explore the memorial before enjoying the Evening Lighting Ceremony (summer). | 3+ hours |
The Evening Lighting Ceremony itself lasts about 45 minutes. The longer time estimate above includes time to explore the memorial before the ceremony begins.
If I Only Had One Hour…
Yes, I’d absolutely still visit Mount Rushmore.
Here’s exactly how I’d spend that hour:
- Walk the Avenue of Flags and find your state’s flag.
- Spend a few minutes taking in the view from the Grand View Terrace.
- Walk down to the boardwalk on the Presidential Trail for a completely different perspective of the sculpture.
- Browse one of the gift shops if you’d like.
- Head to your next adventure.
Even with just an hour, I think you’ll leave feeling like you truly experienced Mount Rushmore.
Is the Presidential Trail Worth It?
Absolutely! In fact, I think walking at least part of the Presidential Trail adds so much to the Mount Rushmore experience.
One of the best things about the Presidential Trail is that you don’t have to complete the entire loop to enjoy some incredible views.
From the Grand View Terrace, head to the left and make your way down to the paved trail using either the stairs or the elevator.
From there, follow the paved path to the boardwalk at the base of the mountain.
Our boys loved making their way down the trail to the boardwalk and exploring it from end to end.
Even though the path is paved, it felt like we were taking a little nature walk, and seeing Mount Rushmore from that different perspective made the short walk well worth it.
Once you walk across boardwalk, you can simply turn around and walk back the way you came.
By doing this, you’ll avoid completing the entire staircase portion of the Presidential Trail while still enjoying some of its best views.
The only trade-off is that the out-and-back walk doesn’t include the Sculptor’s Studio. If visiting the Sculptor’s Studio is important to you, you’ll want to continue on and complete the full Presidential Trail.
If you’re traveling with little kids or simply don’t want to tackle the entire staircase portion of the trail, I think this shorter out-and-back walk is a fantastic option.
It was one of the highlights of our visit and is something I’d absolutely do again.
Experiences I Wouldn’t Miss at Mount Rushmore
You certainly don’t have to experience every part of Mount Rushmore to have a memorable visit. If you’re wondering what I’d prioritize, these are the experiences I wouldn’t miss.
Avenue of Flags
As you make your way toward the Avenue of Flags, take a quick look to your left.
Our boys immediately spotted the large boulders and couldn’t resist climbing on them before we even made it to Mount Rushmore.
It ended up being a fun way to burn off some energy, and we even found some neat views of Mount Rushmore through the trees.
If your kids love climbing like ours do, it’s a fun little stop before officially beginning your visit. Just be prepared for a few possible scraped knees!
Once you reach the Avenue of Flags, slow down and enjoy the walk instead of rushing straight to the monument.
Our boys had fun finding Iowa’s flag and seeing the year our state became a state. It’s a simple activity, but it gave them something to look for before reaching the Grand View Terrace.
This is also one of the best places to stop for a photo. The rows of flags create a beautiful view leading your eye straight to the sculpture.
Grand View Terrace
The Grand View Terrace is the iconic view of Mount Rushmore, and it truly is breathtaking in person.
This is the place to stop, soak it all in, and snap that classic family photo with Mount Rushmore in the background.
Even if you’re short on time, don’t rush through this part of your visit. Standing here and taking in the monument is an experience you’ll remember long after your trip.
Presidential Trail
I wouldn’t skip at least part of the Presidential Trail.
Walking down to the boardwalk gave us a completely different perspective of Mount Rushmore, and our boys loved the short walk.
Even though the trail is paved, it felt like a little nature adventure, and it quickly became one of the most memorable parts of our visit.
If you don’t want to complete the entire trail, simply walk to the boardwalk and return the same way.
You’ll still enjoy some fantastic views without tackling the entire staircase portion of the trail.
Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
If you have extra time, I’d recommend spending a few minutes in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.
It doesn’t take long to walk through, but it gives you a much better appreciation for everything that went into creating Mount Rushmore.
Learning more about the history, the people behind it, and the incredible work involved made us appreciate the monument even more.
Evening Lighting Ceremony
If your schedule allows, the Evening Lighting Ceremony is another unique way to experience Mount Rushmore.
We didn’t stay for it during our visit because it would have made for a very late night with four kids, and I don’t regret that decision.
Even without the ceremony, we still felt like we had a wonderful experience.
If attending the ceremony is important to you, it’s worth planning your visit around it.
Be sure to check the National Park Service website for the current schedule before your visit, as times vary throughout the season.
But if it doesn’t fit your family’s schedule, don’t feel like you’ve missed out on the heart of what makes Mount Rushmore special.
Things to Know Before You Visit Mount Rushmore
Don’t Stress About the Time of Day
One question I see all the time is, “What’s the best time of day to visit Mount Rushmore?“
Honestly, I don’t think there’s one perfect answer.
We’ve visited twice at different times of day, and neither visit felt overly crowded.
The busiest areas were the Grand View Terrace and the Avenue of Flags, but once we ventured beyond those spots, it felt much less busy.
If your goal is to get a family photo without other people in it, you may need to be a little patient or walk a few extra steps to find a different angle. We were able to get plenty of photos we love.
My advice? Visit when it works best for your family’s schedule and don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” time.
Parking Is Easy
Parking at Mount Rushmore is about as simple as it gets. There’s a parking garage right at the memorial, so you won’t have to worry about finding a spot or walking a long distance.
There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle, which includes unlimited re-entry for one year from the date of purchase.
If you’re planning to visit Mount Rushmore more than once during your Black Hills vacation, you won’t have to pay again.
I found the entire process quick and easy, making it one less thing to think about during our visit.
Food at Mount Rushmore
If you get hungry during your visit, Carvers’ Café is located inside Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The café is surprisingly spacious, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, a quick snack, or even just some ice cream, it’s a convenient option without having to leave the memorial.
Don’t Forget Your National Park Passport
If you collect National Park Passport stamps, don’t forget to pack your passport before you leave for your trip.
I accidentally left mine at home, so I ended up buying the cancellation stickers and had them stamped while we were there.
I simply added them to my passport when I got home. It all worked out, but I’d much rather have had my passport with me!
If you’re trying to collect stamps from every national park, this is one item you’ll want to double-check before heading out the door.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s that there isn’t one “right” way to visit Mount Rushmore.
Whether you have an hour or half a day, whether you walk just to the boardwalk or complete the entire Presidential Trail, Mount Rushmore is absolutely worth experiencing.
Take time to soak in the views, let your kids explore, and enjoy this incredible place in whatever way works best for your family.
It’s one of those destinations I think every family should experience at least once.
Planning Your Black Hills Vacation?
Now that you have a better idea of how to experience Mount Rushmore, it’s time to start planning the rest of your trip.
I created my Ultimate Family Vacation Itinerary Planner to help busy moms organize every part of their vacation in one place.
It’s the same planner I use to map out our family trips, including daily itineraries, hotel reservations, attraction tickets, driving routes, packing lists, budgets, and more.
👉 Grab the Ultimate Family Vacation Itinerary Planner here.
If you’re looking for something simpler, you can also download my FREE Family Vacation Itinerary Planner below to start organizing your trip.
If you’re still deciding what else to see during your trip, be sure to read my Black Hills and Badlands with Kids: A Complete Family Vacation Guide, where I share all of our favorite stops, tips, and itinerary ideas for exploring the region.
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
