If you’re driving through the Black Hills of South Dakota, you can’t miss it. You’re likely there to see the four presidents carved into granite, but then you see a sign for the indian monument near mount rushmore. Most people pull over thinking it’s just another quick photo op. They’re wrong.
It’s huge. Honestly, "huge" doesn't even cover it. When—or if—it’s ever finished, it will be the largest sculpture in the world. We’re talking 563 feet high. To put that in perspective, all four heads on Mount Rushmore could fit inside just the head of Crazy Horse.
But there’s a tension here that most travel brochures gloss over. While Mount Rushmore is a feat of engineering, it’s also carved into the Paha Sapa—the Heart of Everything—land that was stolen from the Lakota people in 1877 after gold was found. The Crazy Horse Memorial was born out of that friction. It wasn't some government project. It started with a letter and a single man with a jackhammer.
The Letter That Started the Blast
In 1939, Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear reached out to a Polish-American sculptor named Korczak Ziolkowski. Korczak had actually worked on Mount Rushmore for a bit under Gutzon Borglum, but the two didn't exactly get along. Standing Bear’s request was simple and heavy: "My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes, too."
He chose Crazy Horse.
Crazy Horse, or Tasunke Witko, is a legendary figure who never signed a treaty and never lived on a reservation. He’s the guy who helped defeat Custer at the Little Bighorn. He was a mystic, a warrior, and someone who famously refused to have his picture taken because he believed it would take a piece of his soul. There’s a massive irony there, right? A man who refused to be photographed is now being carved into a mountain for millions to see.
Korczak arrived in the Black Hills with almost nothing. He started the project in 1948 with $174 in his pocket. He was 40 years old. He spent the rest of his life on that mountain. He built a wooden staircase with 741 steps to reach the top. He lugged equipment up by hand. He lived in a tent.
Why It's Taking Forever (and Why That Matters)
People always ask, "When will it be done?"
The short answer: Nobody knows.
The long answer is more complicated. Korczak was adamant that the project never accept government funding. He didn't trust the feds—hard to blame him, considering the history of the Black Hills. He turned down $10 million in federal grants twice. Because of that, the project relies entirely on admission fees and private donations.
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Progress is slow. Glacially slow.
The face was finally completed in 1998. Since then, the focus has shifted to the massive thinning of the mountain to reveal the horse’s head and the warrior’s outstretched arm. If you visit today, you’ll see workers using "precision blasting." They aren't just blowing stuff up; they use a mix of dynamite and jet torches to shave the rock down to within inches of the final "skin."
The Controversy You Won't Hear on the Tour
Not every Native American supports the indian monument near mount rushmore. That’s the nuance people miss. Some Lakota activists, including the late Russell Means, have been vocal critics. Their argument is pretty straightforward: Why would you protest the desecration of the Black Hills by Mount Rushmore, only to carve up another mountain in response?
To some, it’s a beautiful tribute. To others, it’s just further scarring of sacred land.
There is also the "likeness" issue. Since no photos of Crazy Horse exist, the sculpture is an interpretation. It’s a symbol. Korczak always said he wasn't just carving a man; he was carving a memorial to a spirit. But when you’re standing at the base of that mountain, looking up at the 219-foot-long arm pointing toward the horizon, the sheer scale of the ambition is undeniable.
Moving Beyond the Granite
If you just look at the mountain and leave, you’re missing the point. The Crazy Horse Memorial is actually three distinct parts:
- The Mountain Carving: The visual centerpiece.
- The Indian Museum of North America: This is legit. It houses thousands of artifacts from tribes across the continent, not just the Lakota.
- The University and Medical Training Center: This was Korczak’s and Standing Bear’s ultimate goal. They wanted a place where Native American students could excel in medicine and nursing.
The campus is active. You’ll see students there. You’ll see local artisans selling beadwork and quillwork in the cultural center. This isn't a dead monument; it’s a living institution.
The visitor center is massive. It’s got a theater, a restaurant (get the Tatanka stew, seriously), and sprawling decks for viewing the mountain. You can actually take a bus to the bottom of the mountain, or if you donate a certain amount, you can take a van to the top and stand on Crazy Horse’s arm. Standing up there is a trip. You realize that the fingernail of the pointing hand is the size of a twin bed.
Practical Realities for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to see this indian monument near mount rushmore, you need to timing it right. The Black Hills weather is temperamental.
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June through August is peak season. It’s crowded. The heat can be intense.
September is arguably the best time. The crowds thin out, the air gets crisp, and the visibility is usually perfect.
Check the "Night Blast" schedule. A few times a year, usually on Korczak’s birthday (September 6) and the anniversary of Crazy Horse’s death (September 5), they set off pyrotechnics on the mountain. It’s spectacular. They light up the face with huge explosions that echo through the canyons.
Also, look for the "Laser Light Show." It happens every night during the summer. They project animations onto the side of the mountain that tell the story of the Lakota people. It’s a bit "touristy," sure, but it’s a great way to see the scale of the carving after the sun goes down.
Understanding the "Pointing" Gesture
One of the most frequent questions people ask is what the gesture means. Crazy Horse is depicted with his left arm extended, pointing forward.
This refers to a specific story. After he was moved onto a reservation, a white man mockingly asked him, "Where are your lands now?"
Crazy Horse pointed toward the horizon and replied, "My lands are where my dead lie buried."
That’s what the statue captures. It’s a claim of belonging. It’s an assertion that even if the land was legally taken, the spiritual connection remains. It’s a powerful image, especially when you realize he’s pointing over the heads of the tourists and back toward the vast plains.
How It Compares to Mount Rushmore
Look, Rushmore is polished. It’s finished. It’s got that "National Park" sheen.
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Crazy Horse is raw. It’s dusty. It’s a construction site.
When you go to Rushmore, you look at history. When you go to Crazy Horse, you’re watching history happen. You can hear the drills. You can see the dust clouds from the morning blasts. There’s something more visceral about it.
The costs are different, too. Rushmore is a nominal parking fee (though that fee has gone up lately). Crazy Horse is a per-person or per-car admission that can feel a bit steep—usually around $35 for a car with multiple people. But remember, that money is literally the only thing paying the drillers' salaries.
What You Should Actually Do There
Don't just snap a photo from the highway and keep driving.
- Start at the Orientation Film. It’s about 20 minutes. It uses actual footage of Korczak in the early days. It helps you understand why anyone would spend 70+ years on one project.
- Walk the Museums. The collection of ledger art and historic clothing is world-class.
- Talk to the Artisans. There are almost always Native American artists working on-site. Ask them about their process.
- Take the Bus to the Base. It’s only a few dollars extra. Getting close to the rock face changes your perspective on the scale.
- Visit the Korczak Studio. You can see the original plaster models. It’s wild to see how he scaled a 1/34th model into a mountain.
The indian monument near mount rushmore isn't just a statue. It’s a statement of endurance. Whether you agree with the carving of the mountain or not, you can’t help but respect the sheer, stubborn will it takes to keep a dream alive for three generations.
The Ziolkowski family still runs the project. Korczak’s widow, Ruth, was the driving force after he died in 1982. Now, their children and grandchildren are the ones overseeing the blasts. It’s a family legacy tied to a tribal legacy, carved into 2-billion-year-old granite.
When you finally leave and head back toward Rapid City or Custer, you’ll probably look in the rearview mirror. You’ll see that face staring out over the hills. It makes the four presidents down the road feel a little smaller, a little less permanent.
Next steps for your trip: Check the official Crazy Horse Memorial website before you go for the current blasting schedule. They usually post it a day or two in advance. If you can time your arrival for a blast, it's worth the wait. Also, if you’re staying in the area, consider booking a room in Custer rather than Keystone. It’s closer to the memorial and has a much more authentic, less "trap-heavy" vibe. Bring a good pair of binoculars; the details on the face are incredible, but they're hard to see fully from the visitor decks. Finally, if you're interested in the deeper history, pick up a copy of "Crazy Horse and Custer" by Stephen Ambrose before your flight. It’ll give you the context that no plaque can provide.