Landmarks of South Dakota. The most important and interesting sights of South Dakota – photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore (South Dakota, USA) — detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

A place where you can “meet” face to face with four presidents of the United States, Mount Rushmore is located on the territory of the national park of the same name in the state of South Dakota. Perhaps it is difficult to name a monument more replicated in cinema, advertising and print: the profiles of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln turned into portraits of aliens in Mars Attacks, graced the cover of Deep Purple’s In Rock album and, of course, were repeatedly destroyed in all kinds of films – disasters. Not surprisingly, more than 2 million visitors to the national park take selfies a year against the backdrop of Mount Rushmore. But this is not the only thing worth doing here: we definitely recommend admiring the amazing night illumination of the sculptures, visiting the villages of the Indians of the three tribes and stopping by the Rock Sculptors cafe.

A bit of history and geography

According to toppharmacyschools, Mount Rushmore is one of the peaks of the Black Hills mountain range that runs through South Dakota. The area was discovered by the American businessman and expedition lover Charles Rushmore in 1885. Seeing the picturesque rock mass, the philanthropist decided to immortalize on its slopes the portraits of the four most significant, from his point of view, US presidents, at the same time recalling the values ​​that each of them brought to life simple American.

Profile cutting work was carried out over 14 years from 1927 to 1941, and, despite the huge construction period, it cost only 1 million USD. It is noteworthy that not one of the 400 carvers was injured in the most difficult conditions, although the work was carried out at high altitude. The profiles of the presidents are 18 meters high.

It is interesting that Theodore Roosevelt’s head is located deep in the rock, since a larger piece of rock broke off during the explosion with dynamite than was originally calculated.

The composition of Mount Rushmore was made by 400 carvers for 14 years.

What to watch

The profiles of four US presidents are without a doubt the main attraction of Mount Rushmore National Park and one of the most photographed places in the country. Once in front of the sculptural composition, be sure to appreciate the jewelery of the execution of monumental portraits, in which every feature of the great Americans is read. The profiles look especially grandiose in the rays of skillful night illumination – so you should definitely stay in the park until the evening twilight.

However, Mount Rushmore is not the only noteworthy attraction in the park. You can get acquainted with the way of life and traditions of the indigenous people of these lands in the heritage villages of the Dakota, Lakota and Makota Indians. Here you can visit their houses, see household items, interior and clothing, as well as communicate with representatives of the peoples. It is also worth a look at the museum, which tells about the work on the monument, the flora and fauna of the park. Every 20 minutes, a documentary about the making of sculptures on Mount Rushmore is shown.

Practical Information

Address: United States, South Dakota, Rapid City, Mount Rushmore National Park. Web site

Mount Rushmore National Park is open from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm from March 13 to September 30 and until 9:00 pm the rest of the year. Night illumination operates from sunset until 21:00 or 23:00 depending on the season.

Entrance to the park is free. 10 USD is charged for car parking.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial (South Dakota, USA) — description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

Crazy Horse Memorial is a huge monument to the leader of the Oglala Lakota Indian tribe, carved from a single piece of rock. It stands in South Dakota, on the Great Plains, where in 1860-70. there was fighting between the US Army and the last surviving American Indian tribes. Crazy Horse was a brave and proud leader who fought bravely for the lands of his people. In the middle of the 20th century, the local community decided to commemorate his exploits in stone. Sculptor Korczak Zilovsky developed an ambitious architectural project, which proved beyond his strength: he died in 1982, and by 1998 only the leader’s head had been completed. A group of enthusiasts continue to build a monument based on Zilovsky’s sketches, relying on private donations and income from the purchase of souvenirs by tourists.

What to watch

It is assumed that the memorial will be 172 m high and 195 m wide. This would make it the largest monument on the planet, but for now, visitors can only see the 26-meter head of the Crazy Horse, towering above the rock. The spectacle can be enjoyed from the observation deck, and on certain days, climbing to the memorial itself is also allowed (for a fee).

The scale of the sculpture is amazing. For comparison, the famous bas-relief of the presidents on Mount Rushmore could easily fit in the head of a rampaging Indian.

Nearby are an educational center, a gift shop and a cafe. The Indian Museum tells about the history of local tribes, there are also separate exhibitions dedicated to the creation of the monument and the work of Zilovsky. Guided tours are held around the memorial, and in the summer evenings they arrange a laser show. Crazy Horse is usually visited along with Mount Rushmore, which is only 27 km away.

Practical Information

Address: 12151 Ave of the Chiefs, South Dakota, Crazy Horse, SD 57730. Coordinates: 43.836789, -103.624386. Website (in English).

How to get there: by private transport from Rapid City 60 km southwest along Route 16, then left onto Route 16/385, then follow the signs.

Opening hours: in summer from 7:00 to 21:00-23:00, in winter from 8:00 to dusk. Cost: 35 USD per vehicle or 15 USD per person. Prices on the page are for May 2021.