We may earn a commission from your purchases. If you fly into the Rapid City Regional Airport, you will be able to take a direct route to the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore. The Devil Tower National Monument in the United States is the countrys first national monument. Walking the Custer Wildlife Loop in the Black Hills is a must-do. Snow and ice can be a large factor when traveling in South Dakota so keep that in mind. Those 62 and above may park for $5, while active-duty military members park for free. Early mornings are best if you want to beat the crowds, and you can catch the morning sun hitting the memorial for a beautiful photo opt! Late spring and fall may offer the best of both worlds, as there are typically fewer visitors, milder weather and most attractions are still open longer hours. At 8:00 a.m., the facility opens for the day in the United States. South Dakota is currently experiencing a chilly autumn. October can have nice weather. The hottest month of the year, July averages about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The nearest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, which provides most major US airlines with service on a daily basis. (National Park Service / FOX Weather) The busiest months at the park are June, July and August, with July 3 and 4 being the busiest days, according to the NPS. Nine days out of the month saw precipitation, usually around two inches. The park is the largest state park with 71,000 acres of land and is home to over 1,300 bison. It is the first month of spring, and it is quite cold. There are great fall colors in places like Spearfish Canyon toward the end of September. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center provides a wealth of photos and information to assist visitors in learning more about the memorial. It is best to visit Mount Rushmore National Monument in the shoulder season, particularly in the early fall. Take a guided tour to learn about the history and significance of this iconic site. If you want to make the most of your trip, you need to know the best time to visit Mount Rushmore. On mornings and evenings, you'd rather be in your hotel, enjoying the chilly weather. Try to get there early! Four famous faces are carved into the granite mountainside: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Its an excellent attraction for those who want to see Mount Rushmore. Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Use the links below to plan your visit to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills. She is the creator of travel and adventure site Terradrift.com and has written about travel and rewards for many publications, including American Way and Johnny Jet. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. Get information about the accessibility of Mount Rushmore's facilities. Also, make sure you know these essential road trip planning tips before heading out. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Located in: Japan, Japan. Visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial do not have to pay an entrance fee. We visited Mount Rushmore on October 9, the peak season for the fall foliage in the Black Hills of South Dakota, in our photos. The busiest time to see Mount Rushmore tends to be in the late morning to afternoon hours. Many campgrounds and tourist locations arent open until May in this South Dakota region. During this trip, you will drive through the mountain passes and the bison country of South Dakota, taking in the states famous sunlight and clean air. Participants on the trip must be physically capable of ascending and descending 734 stairs without assistance. Prices are typically at their lowest in January. Mount Rushmore contains four presidents faces. The parks higher elevations also provide excellent opportunities for winter hiking and wildlife viewing. While the monument is free to visit, the surrounding area has a lot to offer. We went back out to the monument in the evening. Least humid month in Mt Rushmore is October. If you plan on traveling to South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most popular sights to see. With ongoing projects supported by the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation to conserve the regions natural habitats, Custer State Park remains an exceptional destination to see South Dakotas unspoiled wilderness in all its glory. Allow yourself four (4) to five (5) hours to thoroughly enjoy the sights and sounds of this location. Although spring months can be wet and cold, the Hills dry weather patterns make fall The South Dakota Trail (2.2 miles long, 5,000 steps, weather permitting) can be reached via the Visitor Center. For a truly unique experience, try the Night Sky Program where you can learn about the constellations visible in the night sky. Mount Rushmore averages 57 F (14.3) and 78 F (25.1 Celsius) degrees during the month of August. As you can see from our photos, Mount Rushmore was visited on October 9 at the peak of the fall color season in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Highways 16A, 244, 89 and 87 combine to create the route. Use the spring and fall shoulder seasons to plan your trip and save money. However, it is possible to pull it off in as little as one or two days. Read more. However, some of the exhibits may close due to weather and roads may get icy, hindering your journey up to the facility. The lights slowly begin to illuminate the faces of the presidents as the days draw to a close. To look at the presidents faces carved into Mount Rushmore, go to the Grand View Terrace, From late May to early September, visitors may, While visiting Mount Rushmore at any time of day is an unforgettable experience, being there for the. Heres what you need to know about renting a car for a road trip. Ranger-led programs also happen throughout the day on weekdays in addition to weekends in the summer, so you wont be missing out if you decide to explore on Wednesday instead of Saturday. What is the best airport to visit Mount Rushmore? Peak season is the best time to ensure you get to do it all. As an added bonus, you are able to save your parking pass and reuse it for up to a whole year. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. Also note that February and March are the snowiest months. Spend the night in the town of Wall, where youll definitely want to visit Wall Drug, one of Americas most famous emporiums and one of the best free attractions in South Dakota. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 18.57 mm. Now that I think about it, Mount Rushmore is virtually free, save for parking. Our opinions are our own. If youre in the Black Hills of South Dakota, you have to check it out. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). The park itself is accessible seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its a good idea to check out mapquest. Mt Rushmore Weather in November-December: Winter bells ring in Mt Rushmore during this season with the lowest temperature reaching -0. Juneteenth National Independence Day. Where To Eat IN And AROUND Mount Rushmore, best places to eat in each city of the Black Hills, how much time you need to visit Mount Rushmore, complete guide to visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial. 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Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It is one of my favorite places in the United States, with spectacular views every bend. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 31.47 mm. I was suggested by one person to drive to Minneapolis from Los Angeles. Twelve days out of the month see rain in June, with total accumulations of little over three inches. Finally, Roosevelt was included for the United States prominence in international affairs and the protection of everyday citizens during the 20th century. You really get a lot out of those $10-ish dollars you spend to park. March: Go Fishing. She is the creator of Terradrift.com. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? The Crazy Horse Memorial is located 17 miles from Mount Rushmore and is under construction. Mount Rushmore is very popular, with peak visitation during June, July, and August. After arriving in Rapid City, you can take the overnight train from New York to Chicago. Months with no rains or lowest rains in Mt Rushmore is November. Make your trips as short as possible by planning ahead of the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Bring a coat, jeans, snow pants, boots, a cap, gloves, and hand and foot warmers if you travel this month. It is best to be cautious when viewing wildlife in the Black Hills; however, if you are fortunate to see some of the animals in their natural habitat, be cautious as well. All buildings are closed for the holiday season, but the parking structure and grounds remain open. Powered by Wasatch Websites. Pro tip: The Buffalo Jeep Safari Tour is the best way to get up close with the animals. Peak season is the best time to ensure you get to do it all. The Needles Highway is a scenic road that takes you through the most beautiful sections of South Dakotas Black Hills National Forest. The weather is generally warm and sunny, and all of the attractions and trails are open. If you dont have a car, a taxi ride will cost you $55 to $70, but it will take you 34 minutes to get there. Wow, what an impressive place. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. The overlook at Big Badlands provides an excellent look at the natural beauty of the badlands. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. We enjoyed every minute of our visit. 4. Mount Rushmore is located in South Dakotas Black Hills region, which gets its name from the Lakota phrase Pah Spa, which refers to the dark appearance of the tree-covered mountains from a distance. The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is free to enter. Anyone who takes the time to hike through the area is guaranteed to come across a plethora of birds. Given the parks abundance of wildlife, hiking trails, swimming, camping, and fishing, its no wonder why Custer State Park earned a spot on our list of the best state parks in every stateand why its one of the things to do when visiting Mount Rushmore. Next, head east to Rapid City (30 minutes from Mount Rushmore or 40 minutes from Custer) to visit its museums and lively downtown area, where life-size bronze statues of all former U.S. presidents line the streets. Blackberry Trail is located at Mount Rushmore Memorial, one of the parks two trails. The busiest months are June, July and August. When the US government attempted to remove Native Americans from the Black Hills, the tribes fought back. 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