NATIONAL PARKS
Welcome to Mount Rushmore
On this page, you will learn more about Mount Rushmore. You will learn things such as why it's famous, what to do if you visit, and more!
Mount Rushmore History
Mount Rushmore is one of the most famous places for people to visit, however, did you know that it has a controversial history? The biggest controversy Mount Rushmore has is that it is located on Native American land that is sacred and was stolen. Before it was known as Mount Rushmore, it was first called the Six Grandfathers. This land was important for many reasons including, it was dedicated to prayer, is where Native Americans collected crops, and was "the center of the universe," (McKeever, 2022). In the 1860s, Native Americans were granted the rights to the land through the Treaty of Fort Laramie, however, in the 1870s that treaty was broken when gold was later discovered. The Black Hills were later renamed after Charles Rushmore and in the 1920's the carving of the four Presidents began. According to McKeever (2022), the Presidents selected were because of the following reasons...
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George Washington: Was the country's first president.
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Thomas Jefferson: During the Louisiana Territory, he doubled the size of America.
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Theodore Roosevelt: Was a symbol of economic growth.
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Abraham Lincoln: During the Civil War, he fought to preserve the nation.
Since it has been opened, many Native Americans have protested that a Native American face be added, however, according to McKeever (2022), it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Things to do
Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
Don't feel like going hiking? No worries, enjoy the exhibits, film, and bookstore available at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. From 8:00 am - 6:00 pm this center is open for friends and families to visit.
Sculptors Studio
Take yourself back to the 1940's and imagine what it was like for sculptor Guzton Borglum, working on Mount Rushmore. The sculptors studio gives visitors an opportunity to step foot into the studio where Borglum worked. If you arrive on time, you'll have the opportunity to hear park rangers give presentations that focus on those who helped Borglum, the techniques, and tools used.
Avenue of Flags
Here on the Avenue of Flags, visitors get to observe 56 different flags. Fifty of the flags represent the 50 states in America. One flag represents the District of Columbia, and three flags stand for the Territory of Guam, the Territory of American Samoa, and the Territory of the U.S Virgin Islands. Finally, the two remaining flags represent the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
The Presidential Trail
This .6-mile hike allows you to see the different views that Mount Rushmore has to offer. The first .2 miles of the hike are handicap accessible, however, the last .4 miles include over 400 steps.
Need more recommendations and information?
The National Park Service provides a ton of recommendations of things to do, places to stay, and important information you need to know before you plan your trip to Mount Rushmore. For more recommendations and information select the National Park Service badge below.