Guide for a Trip to Mount Rushmore

Whether you're visiting the area or simply poking around your own backyard, Mount Rushmore is the stuff of dreams. There's more to the region than those towering effigies of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, though.

The monument sits in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, just outside the town of Keystone. When you make your way to Mount Rushmore, add these activities to your itinerary, too!

Black Hills Helicopters | Facebook

What's better than a trip to Mount Rushmore? Seeing it all from the air, of course. Black Hills Helicopters lets you experience this world wonder in a sensational new way.

And it's not just Mount Rushmore-these helicopter tours offer a new perspective on some of the most stunning geography in the region. From the crystal-clear waters of Sylvan Lake to Thunderhead Mountain towering over the landscape, see it all with fresh eyes.

If you like what you see from the air, you may want a closer look. Head to Custer State Park and see the granite peaks and rolling plains at ground level. You can camp, hike, swim, and see some majestic bison up close (from a safe distance).

National Presidential Wax Museum | Facebook

No guide for a trip to Mount Rushmore would be complete without mentioning the National Presidential Wax Museum. Located in the heart of Keystone, it offers a patriotic experience the whole family can enjoy.

Meet more than 100 lifelike wax figures, including all 45 U.S. presidents. See figures of Washington, FDR, Reagan, and Obama depicted in visual recreations of iconic moments in U.S. presidential history. Original oil paintings by artist Harvey Dunn are also on display.   

Take a self-guided audio tour and explore the context and history of each scene. A 7-minute theater video showcases the museum's 10 artists as they explain the intricacies of the wax sculpture process. It's a presidential experience that complements those stone faces at Mount Rushmore!

Holy Terror Mini Golf | Facebook

Need a break from all that history? Mini golfing is a chance for mindless fun, and Holy Terror Mini Golf is the only 18-hole course in Keystone. Nestled on the side of a pine-covered slope, it was named after the last active gold mine in town.

You'll be screamin' mulligans as you putt around gold-flecked boulders and up steep hills. The course will take you down through the mine slew, around the water wheel, and along the bubbling stream. It's challenging and fun, as the course meanders uphill, around, and back down again.

Three kinds of artificial turf simulate fairways, sand traps, and roughs. Stay on your toes and put your mini golf game to the test!  

Plan Your Trip to Mount Rushmore Today

Planning your next adventure? You'll be amazed at how much you can see and do near Mount Rushmore. We hope this guide is helpful as you make your way to Keystone for the expedition of a lifetime!