If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a map or settling a trivia bet and wondering about Mount Rushmore in what state, you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s one of those things people think they know until they actually have to point to it.
Basically, Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota.
Specifically, it’s tucked away in the Black Hills of the western part of the state, near a tiny town called Keystone. It isn't just a random rock pile; it’s a massive, controversial, and technically impressive feat of engineering that defines the skyline of the Mount Rushmore State. But just knowing the state is the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole lot of weird, messy history behind those four 60-foot heads that most people never hear about in school.
Where Exactly Is Mount Rushmore?
You’ll find this "Shrine of Democracy" about 23 miles southwest of Rapid City. If you’re driving, you’re looking for U.S. Highway 16, which eventually snakes into Highway 244.
The Black Hills themselves are kind of an anomaly. They rise out of the flat plains like a dark, forested island. The Lakota people, who were there long before any chisels touched the stone, call this area Pahá Sápa. To them, it’s the "Heart of Everything That Is." It’s pretty ironic—or maybe just sad—that a place considered the center of the universe for one culture became a literal billboard for another.
Why These Four Guys?
Most people can name the presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. But why them? Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor (who was a pretty intense character, to put it mildly), chose them to represent the first 150 years of American history.
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- George Washington: Representing the birth of the nation.
- Thomas Jefferson: For the growth (he bought the Louisiana Purchase, which, yep, included South Dakota).
- Theodore Roosevelt: For development and the Panama Canal.
- Abraham Lincoln: For the preservation of the Union.
Borglum originally wanted to include local heroes like Red Cloud or Lewis and Clark, but he eventually pivoted to the presidents to get federal funding. Money talks, even in 1927.
The Secret History of the "Six Grandfathers"
Before it was Mount Rushmore, the mountain was known to the Lakota as Tȟuŋkášila Šákpe, or the Six Grandfathers. It was a place for prayer and spiritual connection. The name "Rushmore" actually came from a New York lawyer, Charles E. Rushmore, who visited the area in 1884. Legend says he asked his guide what the mountain was called, and the guide joked, "We'll name it after you."
The name stuck. The Lakota weren't exactly consulted.
The legal battle over this land is still technically ongoing. In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians that the Black Hills were taken illegally. The government offered over $100 million in compensation. The Sioux refused the money. They don't want the cash; they want the land back. Today, that money sits in a trust fund, growing with interest to over a billion dollars, untouched.
How They Actually Carved It
It wasn't just guys with hammers and nails. It was 90% dynamite.
Between 1927 and 1941, around 400 workers—mostly local miners who were desperate for work during the Great Depression—climbed 700 stairs every morning to "punch in." They were lowered down the 500-foot face in "bosun chairs" held by 3/8-inch steel cables.
Fun Fact: Despite the incredibly dangerous conditions, explosives, and heights, not a single person died during the 14 years of construction.
They used a technique called honeycombing. Drillers would make a bunch of holes close together to weaken the granite, then they'd pop the "honeycomb" off by hand. It was tedious, loud, and dusty work. Borglum’s son, Lincoln Borglum, eventually took over when his dad died in March 1941, just months before the project was declared "finished" (though it was actually stopped early due to a lack of funds).
What’s Hiding Behind Lincoln’s Head?
There is actually a secret room. Seriously.
Borglum wanted a Hall of Records—a massive vault to store the nation's most important documents like the Constitution. He started blasting a tunnel behind Abraham Lincoln’s head, but Congress told him to stop messing around and finish the faces.
For decades, it was just an empty, jagged cave. Finally, in 1998, a titanium vault was placed in the floor of the entry. It contains porcelain tablets explaining the history of the mountain and the U.S. It’s not open to the public, mostly because getting there involves a treacherous climb that the Park Service doesn't want you attempting.
Planning Your Trip: What to Know in 2026
If you’re heading to South Dakota to see it yourself, don't just look at the faces and leave. You’ve gotta do the Presidential Trail. It’s a half-mile loop that gets you much closer to the base of the mountain.
- Timing: Go early. Like, 5:00 AM early if you want to see the sun hit the faces. By 10:00 AM, the tour buses arrive, and it gets "people-y."
- The Evening Ceremony: From May through September, they do a lighting ceremony at night. It’s patriotic, a bit old-school, and the way the lights hit the granite is actually pretty stunning.
- Entry Fees: Technically, there is no entrance fee for the park, but there is a parking fee (usually around $10). They don't accept National Park Passes for the parking because the garage is privately operated.
Beyond the Faces
While you're in the neighborhood, check out the Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s only about 17 miles away. It’s been under construction since 1948 and is intended to be the world's largest mountain carving. It serves as a sort of counter-narrative to Rushmore, honoring the Lakota leader and the indigenous history of the Black Hills.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Download the NPS App: Cell service in the Black Hills is spotty at best. Download the offline maps for Mount Rushmore National Memorial before you leave Rapid City.
- Stay in Keystone or Hill City: These towns are charmingly touristy and keep you close to the action. If you want something quieter, look for cabins near Custer State Park.
- Drive Iron Mountain Road: Don't just take the highway. This road was designed specifically so that Mount Rushmore is framed perfectly through several "pigtail" bridges and tunnels.
- Check the Weather: South Dakota weather is moody. It can be 80 degrees in the morning and snowing by dinner. Layers are your best friend.
Mount Rushmore is more than just a photo op. It’s a massive, complicated piece of the American puzzle sitting right in the heart of South Dakota. Whether you see it as a masterpiece of art or a "Shrine of Hypocrisy," seeing it in person is something you won't forget.
To make the most of your trip, consider booking a guided tour from Rapid City that includes both Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, as this provides the necessary historical context for both sites. Alternatively, if you're driving yourself, start your day at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to watch the orientation film before heading out onto the Presidential Trail.