Mount Rushmore Annual Events

Mount Rushmore Audio Tour

Mount Rushmore Audio Tour

More than two million people visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, South Dakota each year. This famous landmark boasts the images of US Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt etched into the side of a granite cliff. Carving of this national treasure began in 1927 and was finally completed in 1941. With a visit to Mount Rushmore, you can take a self-guided audio tour and learn more about the history of the US presidents. The observation area in front of the memorial offers you an amazing vantage point to stand in awe of Mount Rushmore and snap a few photos.

While the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a popular destination any time of year, the area features special events at certain times throughout the year that will add to your experience. On the first Saturday in June each year, trail enthusiasts in all fifty states gather at local, state, and national parks to commemorate the trail systems at these parks and promote public awareness about trail work projects. If you plan to be in the Mount Rushmore area for this special event, you can enjoy special demonstrations, workshops, and other festivities to mark the occasion.

For nearly seventy years, motorcycle enthusiasts have been gathering every August in nearby Sturgis, South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This event is a traditional raucous festival, drawing in over 500,000 motorcyclists each year. Sturgis' rally is known for public drinking and often wild partying in the streets, as well as motorcycle exhibits, vendors, and more.

The beginning of summer is marked in Deadwood, South Dakota each year with Wild Bill Days. This event features live musical performances, Wild West re-enactments, the Cowboy World Fast Draw Championships, poker games, and more. Some of the past musical acts to perform here have included the Little River Bank, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kory and the Fireflies, King Straggler, and more. Wild Bill Days will transport your family back in time to the days of Wild Bill Hickock!

Fourth of July is a magical time of year in the Mount Rushmore area. At the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, you can enjoy a truly patriotic Independence Day event with a spectacular fireworks demonstration, live entertainment, jet fly-overs, military marching band performances, and more. Mount Rushmore usually celebrates Independence Day with two full days of festivities.

You can also head over to Hot Springs, South Dakota, for a traditional, small town America Fourth of July experience. In Hot Springs, your family will have a great time with street performers providing musical and dance entertainment, street vendors, fabulous food and drink options, and more. The evening is capped off with a breathtaking fireworks display that is sure to stay etched in your memory for years to come.

Make plans to add to your Mount Rushmore experience by visiting the Mount Rushmore area during one of these special annual events!