Discover the fun of visiting Mount Rushmore with kids. Our summer roadtrip through South Dakota began with an iconic stop at Mount Rushmore. Just over a 5-hour drive from Denver, it was an easy visit to plan and a perfect way to start our adventure. Jamie and I had visited Mount Rushmore over a decade ago before we had kids, and while much of it was as we remembered, experiencing it with our children—especially our oldest, who is very much into history—made it a whole new experience.
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Arrival and Parking
After our drive from Denver, we arrived at Mount Rushmore and easily found a parking spot in the parking garage. Parking was $10, and the garage was conveniently located, making it a quick walk to the monument. Also, a huge perk of the park is that it is FREE other than parking! Since it was a Sunday evening, it wasn’t very crowded, and the cooler evening temperatures made our visit even more pleasant.
Mount Rushmore Location
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, SD 57751
Dining at the Carvers’ Café
After the long drive, we were hungry and decided to grab a bite at the on-site cafeteria. The food was basic and fast but reasonably priced, and the patio offered a great view of the monument. It was a relaxing way to start our visit and refuel before exploring the rest of the site.
Avenue of the Flags
Our first stop after eating was the Avenue of the Flags. The kids had fun searching for our home state of Colorado’s flag among the 50 state flags and a few others lining the pathway. Walking through the flags added a sense of ceremony to our approach to the monument and helped build anticipation as we got closer.
Presidential Trail
Next, we decided to stretch our legs with a walk on the Presidential Trail. This easy loop takes you closer to the monument and offers various viewpoints of the presidents’ faces. It was definitely a highlight of our visit, and even our 4-year-old managed the trail and the several stairs with no trouble. The trail is short, less than a mile, but offers different perspectives and photo opportunities that everyone enjoyed. This trail was extra special for our kids as it was a filming site for National Treasure 2, which we had just watched prior to our visit.
Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
After the hike, we headed to the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to dive deeper into the history of Mount Rushmore. The center is filled with exhibits about the monument’s creation, from its initial concept to the challenges faced during its construction. The kids enjoyed the interactive displays, and we all gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. However, we did notice that the film shown at the Visitor Center was quite similar to the one featured during the Evening Lighting Program. If you’re pressed for time, you might consider skipping the Visitor Center film and waiting for the more impactful and updated one during the evening program
Sculpture Illumination and Evening Lighting Program
We ended our visit with the Sculpture Illumination and Evening Lighting Program, a peaceful and inspiring way to close the day. This 45-minute program includes a short film about the monument’s history, followed by a lighting ceremony that illuminates the sculpture beautifully. Visiting in the evening turned out to be a great choice, as the crowds had thinned out, and the cooler temperatures made the experience even more enjoyable. I will say that this program got a little long for the kids after a long day. The film dragged on a bit as I mentioned above that the film in the visitors center is similar. Even with the kids getting a little antsy, it was definitely worth it to stay the whole time.
Things We Missed
While our visit was full of memorable moments, there were a few things we missed. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit the Sculptor’s Studio, which was closed for the evening, but we still had plenty to do at the Visitor Center. We also realized later that the kids could have participated in the Junior Ranger program. We’ve done Junior Ranger activities at other national parks, and they’ve always been a hit, so we were a bit disappointed to miss out on that here. I’m sure the Junior Ranger quest on the Presidential Trail would have been a lot of fun, but since this was just the first stop of our very adventurous roadtrip, we weren’t too concerned about missing out.
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Final Thoughts For Mount Rushmore With Kids
Our visit to Mount Rushmore with kids was a fantastic start to our South Dakota roadtrip. The history, the views, and the overall experience were unforgettable. It was wonderful to see how much of it was just as we remembered from our previous visit, but with the added joy of sharing it with our kids. If you’re planning a trip through South Dakota, visiting Mount Rushmore in the evening is a great way to avoid the crowds and the summer heat while taking in everything this iconic site has to offer.
