Mount Rushmore National Monument, Keystone, South Dakota

The drive from Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore is not for the weak, timid, or carsick. Full of twists and turns, one-way tunnels, switchbacks, ups and downs and spiral descents, it resembles a roller coaster ride. The first view of the monument is from across the valley. You can vaguely make out the image. If you didn’t know it was there, you might not even know it. At the top of a peak, you come to the Norbeck Outlook, where you get a closer, but still far-off view.

As you near the monument, it’s almost hard to believe just how big this sculpture is. The parking garage is extensive, with several levels that can accommodate a car, truck, bus, or RV.

The park itself was impressive. A gallery of state flags lines the walkway leading to the observation deck. The platform has many levels and amphitheater-style seating where one can watch the lighting ceremony (which we will do later next week.)

A junior ranger program allows children to complete activities in the park and earn a badge. E and G have taken the booklet back to camp to work on it and will bring it back later in the week.

We went on a ranger-led tour. Jeff, our park ranger, is retired military and gave us a very informative talk about the history of the sculpture and tidbits of the presidents.  

There is a presidential walkway which gets you closer to the monument and then a staired walkway that takes you to a sculptured studio. The walk back up was all stairs, which we decided warranted an ice cream.

 

The snack bar had several affordable offerings and a café provided meals. The café can also be rented out for functions. Imagine a wedding that overlooks Mt. Rushmore!

No trip is complete without the obligatory trip to the gift shop. Surprisingly, there was little junk and there was more of a selection of nicer items. Affordable t-shirts and sweatshirts, photos and posters, arts and crafts, and a huge book selection overshadowed the key chains, mugs, and magnets. We were really disappointed, however, to find that they did not have a Mount Rushmore bobblehead doll. 

We will definitely head back here later this week to see the lighting ceremony. The trick is driving back in the dark!

One thing to note:  While this is a truly impressive monument of American history, it is also on sacred ground of the Lakota Sioux tribe.  Those sensitive to the struggle and history of the American Indian might find themselves in a moral dilemma:  Do you celebrate the monument or mourn the loss of sacred land?  I found myself struggling with this more and more as our trip continued.

© Cara Parker, 2009.  Photos and text may not be reproduced without the written consent of Cara Parker.