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Stacy
Trip Date 08/01/2020 Posted On 11/25/2020 09:30:30 |
Destinations | Camping | South Dakota | Crazy Horse | Mount Rushmore | Cost of Admission | Optional Fees | Kid's Programs | History | Art | Photography | Hiking | Shopping | Dining | Evening Programs
I couldn't be happier that we had the opportunity to visit both Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. For a variety of reasons, however, some people are unable to visit both. They must choose to see only one of the two famous granite carvings in South Dakota. Choosing one over the other is a decision that should be based on personal interests. This article, which includes an unbiased comparison, should help anyone who wants to decide which they should visit.
After a brief overview of a typical visit to each tourist attraction, we compare the cost of admission and optional fees along with what is included. From there, we compare and contrast the two attractions in a number of categories starting with available kid's programs. We then explore what those who love history, art, photography, hiking, shopping or even dining will find at each destination. Finally, we wrap up with a comparison of the evening programs offered during summer months.
Once you've read this article (or at least the sections covering your personal interests), you'll have a better idea of whether you should start planning a visit to see Crazy Horse or to see Mount Rushmore!
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Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial Visitor's Complex is located less than 10 miles from Downtown Custer. The purpose of the memorial, visited by over 1 million people each year, is to honor "the living heritage of the North American Indians".Upon completion, the Crazy Horse Mountain Carving will be 563 feet tall, the largest mountain carving in the world. Started in 1948, "blasting" has already been in progress for more than 70 years. The over 87 foot tall face of the leader of the Oglala Lakota was completed in June 1998. Since then, the focus has been on the 263 foot long left arm as well the mane and 22 story tall head of the horse. (Each eye of the horse is planned to measure 20 feet wide and 15 feet tall and the diameter of the horse's nostrils will each measure 26 feet across!)
In addition to being the location of the Crazy Horse memorial, there's plenty to see and do both indoors and out on the surrounding grounds. As no federal or state funds have been or plan to be accepted for construction, a non-profit foundation was started. It is admission fees and donations to the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation that support the memorial's completion. The goal of the foundation is to "protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians".
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The four granite faces that make up Mount Rushmore National Memorial are located less than 25 miles from downtown Custer and about 17 miles from the Crazy Horse Visitor CenterSculptor Gutzon Borglum chose the four presidents due to their impact on the country. The memorial was "carved" between 1927 and 1941. A multi-million dollar upgrade project to the grounds was completed in the early summer of 2020. Annually, close to 3 million people see the likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into the mountainside. (Each eye is approximately 11 feet in width, noses measure about 20 feet in height and each mouth is 18 feet from side to side!)
In addition to staring in amazement at the sculpture, any visitor to the memorial will find that there is more to see and do. It's fun for residents of a U. S. state or territory to find the flag that represents their home or favorite places to visit.
Those choosing to walk the Presidential Trail pass exhibits about each of the four presidents carved into the mountainside along with the opportunity to get even closer to the sculpture.
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Cost of Admission
The admission fees to enter the grounds of each carving are calculated based on whether you arrive in a car or via other means:Crazy Horse Memorial
Admission to Crazy Horse (which includes parking) is based on the visitor's mode of transportation to get to the memorial and/or the number of people arriving together. With a price increase planned to take effect on May 28, 2021, we are including both current and, in parentheses, proposed admission fees:- Per bicycle - $7.00 ($10.00)
- Per person on motorcycle - $7.00 ($10.00)
- Per person in a car with 2 or less visitors - $12.00 ($15.00 for 1 person or $30.00 for 2 people in a car)
- Per car with 3 or more visitors over age 6 - $30.00 ($35.00)
Admission is collected at booths prior to entering the parking area. A re-admit pass allows one additional visit within the 3 days following the paid visit. The pass is available at the Welcome Center by request only. (The re-admit pass was perfect for us as there were some nearby lightning strikes which caused optional tours to be cancelled during our initial visit.)
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
There is no entrance fee to visit Mount Rushmore, however there is a fee for parking. For a charge of $10.00, a standard personal vehicle can park in the lot at the national memorial an unlimited number of times for a one year period.The Winner Based on Cost of Admission
For all but the solo traveler, the combined cost for entrance and parking at Mount Rushmore is less expensive.What's Included with General Admission?
Because the grounds of the two destinations are quite different, what is included with the standard admission fee also differs:
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Crazy Horse Memorial
As you approach the memorial's Welcome Center, there's some outdoor art including the Nature Gates that will likely catch your eye. Once you pass inside, viewing the film shown in the Orientation Center is the perfect start to any visit. Telling some of the memorial's history, the story of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and future plans, the film sets the stage for exploring the grounds.The Viewing Veranda and Wall of Windows are the two best places included in the cost of general admission to see the actual carving of Crazy Horse. Although much smaller, the 1/34 Scale Model helps people visualize what the completed carving will look like.
The three wings of the Indian Museum of North America are filled with donated North American Indian art and artifacts. The Mountain Carving Gallery is dedicated to telling the story of how the mountain is being carved. Both the Sculptor's Home and Studio and the Sculptor's Workshop provide a glimpse into the life history of Korczak and his wife Ruth Ziolkowski.
The lower level of the Native American Educational and Cultural Center is home to an American Bison Exhibit. The upper level is where Native Americans share artistic talents and cultural knowledge with guests. Some promote and sell their art, others participate in a Talking Circle Speaker Series and still others help visitors with "make and take" activities.
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During peak seasons, American Indian musicians, dancers, singers and more perform several times each day. During our visit, we had the opportunity to watch Hoop Dancer Starr Chief Eagle perform. Finally, Legends in Light, a multimedia laser light show, is displayed on the mountainside each evening during the summer months.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Most visitor's first stop after walking from the parking lot toward the mountain sculpture is at the Information Center. In addition to having an opportunity to ask questions of the staff, it is there where the day's schedule can be located. Find the hours of the Visitor Center, the times and topics for the current day's Ranger Talks and the starting time of the Evening Lighting Ceremony posted.From there, many guests walk along the Avenue of Flags toward the Grand View Terrace and Amphitheater, all just recently upgraded. Residents of U. S. states or territories can often be seen posing along the Avenue of Flags.
Located below the terrace, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center provides a good introduction to the national memorial. A 14-minute video tells the story of how 400+ people worked over the course of 14 years to carve the mountain. The building is also home to exhibits full of interesting facts and figures about Mount Rushmore.
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In addition to awesome views of the carving from the Grand View Terrace, a walk down several flights of stairs takes visitors to another historic viewpoint, the Borglum View Terrace. From there more stairs lead the final distance of the 0.2 mile trek to the Sculptor's Studio.
Inside the studio, visitors can see a 1/12 Scale Model of the sculpture as well as some of the tools used during the carving phase. Throughout the summer, daily talks and demonstrations are also offered inside the studio.
A hike through the woods along the 0.6 mile Presidential Trail brings visitors even closer to the sculpture. Along with exhibits about each of the four presidents, the trail passes by stone fragments left from the days when the faces were blasted into the mountainside.
During peak season, an Evening Lighting Ceremony is a fun and patriotic way to cap off a Mount Rushmore visit.
The Winner Based on What's Included with General Admission
As all tourists have differing preferences, it's difficult to name a winner based on what is included in the cost of general admission. It does seem, however, that the amount of time that the average visitor spends at each destination differs. Using the number of hours required to explore the grounds surrounding each sculpture, the winner is likely Crazy Horse - people tend to spend more time trying to explore all that is available there.
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Additional Fee Based Options
Both carvings offer additional ways to enhance your visit:Crazy Horse Memorial
Although personal vehicles cannot be driven the 3/4 mile distance from the Visitor Center to the mountain, those willing to fork up more dollars do have options. In addition to distant views of the Crazy Horse carving from the Viewing Veranda and Wall of Windows, guests can choose to ride to either the base or top of the mountain to get a closer look, weather permitting. (All rides will be cancelled for a minimum of 30 minutes following any lightning strike in the vicinity.)Priced at just $4.00 per person (free for those aged 6 and under), guests can take a Rustic Bus Ride. Tickets are sold near the bus departure point at a small kiosk located outside of the Visitor Center. The roughly 25 minute round trip journey aboard an old school bus takes riders to the base of the mountain. In addition to answering questions from passengers, our bus driver provided some limited narration along the way.
A more personal guided van ride to the top of the mountain requires a minimum charitable donation of $125.00 per person. Upon exiting the van, passengers will be standing just below the carved chin and walking on the still in process outstretched left arm. (The only other option to get this close to the carving is by hiking the dirt trails and gravel roads in the bi-annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch.)
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
There is no charge for the standard programs or talks scheduled daily at Mount Rushmore. Visitors interested in a "guided" tour of the national memorial can rent an audio tour wand ($6.00 per person) or multimedia device ($8.00). While listening to recorded content (music plus current and historical narrative), visitors choosing the self-guided audio tour hear the story of Mount Rushmore as they walk the grounds of the memorial. In addition to audio, the multimedia tour also includes photos and video.The Winner Based on Additional Fee Based Options
Of the three fee based tours, there's only one that we have personal experience with. If we had it to do over again, the bus ride to the base of Crazy Horse would again be the only optional tour that we would consider.For Families Traveling with Kids
When traveling with your young ones, it's always a good idea to have a kid-friendly plan in place so that you can avoid hearing the inevitable "I'm bored":
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Crazy Horse Memorial
During our visit to Crazy Horse, we did not see any child specific activities.Mount Rushmore National Memorial
A short spur off of the Presidential Trail leads to a Youth Exploration Area. A covered pavilion was designed as an area to house a variety of summertime programs. Ranging from listening to stories, participating in hands-on activities or seeing (and sometimes even touching) interesting items, everything is geared towards kids.During our visit, Cultural Presenter and Storyteller Darrell A. Red Cloud (son of Chief Red Cloud) was on site. He offered several Lakota Storytelling sessions where both kids and adults could learn about the traditional Lakota culture. Although our timing was off to see one of his presentations, he graciously answered many questions from people of all ages who stopped by.
Similar to many other national parks, Mount Rushmore offers a Junior Ranger Program. Free booklets are available to help children learn while they have fun exploring at their own pace:
- With a little help from an adult, children aged 3 or 4 can become Junior Ranger Trainees.
- A Junior Ranger Activity Book filled with age appropriate activities is available for 5 to 12 year olds.
- The Rushmore Ranger Activity Booklet has even more challenging activities designed for children age 13 and over (or even adults).
Upon completion, children of each age group receive a Junior Ranger Badge.
Junior Ranger Quest is a newer program/game that is included on the multimedia device available for rent ($8.00 per person). A total of 16 challenges at various places within the national memorial are incorporated into the self-guided tour. Upon completion of at least 12 of the challenges, children are also eligible for the Junior Ranger Badge. (Junior Ranger Quest can also be downloaded for free through the Apple Store or Google Play with a print-your-own badge option.)
The Winner for Families Traveling with Kids
With both a Youth Exploration Area and the Junior Ranger Program, both designed to help entertain children as young as three years of age, Mount Rushmore wins this category.
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For History Lovers
Learning about the history of the carved faces as well as the sculptors at both locations is quite interesting:Crazy Horse Memorial
Viewers watching the introductory video, Dynamite & Dreams, will leave with both historical information and a better understanding of the memorial's vision and progress. As you wander through the visitor complex, you'll find a variety of DIY options for expanding your historical knowledge of Crazy Horse, the Ziolkowski family and more.Interested in the history of the American Bison? Head over to the Cultural Center where an exhibit explores the timeline from prehistoric days to the present - including the near extinction of the animal.
If learning the history of the memorial is appealing, the Mountain Carving Gallery is your place. See photos from Chief Henry Standing Bear's original visit to Korczak Ziolkowski's home and the letter that he wrote to the sculptor attempting to recruit him for the project. You can learn about the decision to work on the face of Crazy Horse before carving the head of the horse and also find out more about the carving phase currently underway. You'll also find replicas of some of the original tools used and even photos showing the progression of the carving.
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Intrigued about sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, his wife Ruth and their family? After almost 36 years of working on the sculpture, Korczak died and the reins passed on to his wife. Today, four of their children and three of their grandchildren continue working on the legacy started by Korczak.
The Ziolkowski Family Log Home, built by the matriarch and patriarch, will help you piece the story of the couple and their 10 children together. Although open for visitors to see some of Korczak's original sculptures and antique furnishings, the home is still used for some family events today. From the home, enter the connecting Sculptor's Workshop and Studio to gain an even bigger glimpse into the life and work of Korczak.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The four presidential likenesses carved into the mountainside were chosen by sculptor Gutzon Borglum to represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of the United States of America. History lovers can spend their time at the memorial learning about each of the four presidents and why they were chosen, the sculptor and other workers and even the 14 years spent creating the sculpture.Start off with a visit to the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. Between the indoor exhibits and the 14 minute film "Mount Rushmore: The Shrine", you'll leave with an appreciation for Doane Robinson's original idea for a mountain carving as well as for the daily work life of the over 400 workers.
See where sculptor Gutzon Borglum worked between 1939 and 1941 as you step foot inside the Sculptor's Studio. If you visit during the summer, listen to a Ranger Talk to learn more about the lives of the workers and the tools that they used to skillfully carve the faces. Did you know that 450,000+ tons of granite were removed (mostly with dynamite) over the course of the 14 years devoted to creating the masterpiece?
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Stroll along the Presidential Trail and make stops to read each of the panels to learn more about the four presidents whose faces you see before you. Walk away with a better understanding of the highlights of their careers, their accomplishments as president and why they were chosen to be memorialized on the mountaintop.
If your timing is right, you can complement these mostly DIY history lessons with free Ranger Programs that may be offered during your visit. Most are approximately 30 minutes in length and start at various points in the national memorial.
Learning about customs, traditions and some history of the local Native American communities may also be offered. Make sure to check the schedule of events for any Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village offered programs.
The Winner for History Lovers
There is no clear cut winner for history lovers - it's really a tie! There's plenty of history to be learned on the grounds of both sculptures, so it all depends on personal interests.
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For Art Lovers
With huge granite sculptures being the pièce de résistance at both locations, visitors might expect even more art inside each of the complexes:Crazy Horse Memorial
Approaching the Visitor Center from the large parking area, the Nature Gates, a 9-1-1 Memorial and the Fighting Stallions are waiting for you. Once inside, in addition to individual pieces of art like the 1/34 Scale Model of the mountain, there are entire rooms devoted almost entirely to art. Some walls within the three wings comprising the Indian Museum of North America are filled with art. As you would expect, the Mountain Carving Gallery, Ziolkowski Family Log Home and Sculptor's Workshop and Studio are all filled with various forms of art.Ranging from photos and prints to works done on buffalo hide, woven works and more sculptures created from a variety of mediums, there is a true assortment of art. In addition to pieces created by Korczak, much of the collection was donated by Native Americans from around the country and is therefore quite diverse.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The best place for seeing art at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is inside the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. It's there where you'll find some interesting photographs from the days when the 400+ workers were creating what has become one of the most visited destinations in the country. A bust of Gutzon Borglum sculpted by his son Lincoln stands outside the Sculpture's Studio.The Winner for Art Lovers
With its much larger variety of art, Crazy Horse Memorial wins for anyone deciding which to visit based solely upon the onsite art available for viewing.
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For the Photographer
When many folks set out on a vacation, they promise to return with photos from their time away. If this describes one of your vacation goals, you may wonder which sculpture you should visit:Crazy Horse Memorial
It goes without saying that the most photographed object within the memorial is the carving itself. When the weather is good, the Viewing Veranda offers a distant, but still good location for photographers wanting to avoid paying more than the standard entrance fee. (There's no good places outside of the memorial grounds to capture great shots of the sculpture.)Other than some scattered sculptures found outdoors, most other opportunities for photos are inside the various buildings in the complex. Planning a visit during one of the scheduled performances or evening laser light show will provide additional photo moments.
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Photographing Mount Rushmore can be fun for the creative photographer. There are a number of places within the grounds of the national memorial to capture the sculpture with or without your loved ones. The view of the carving beyond the Avenue of Flags, from the Grand View Terrace or through the window of the Sculpture Studio are all fun.While not close-ups, a walk along the Presidential Trail offers the opportunity to capture some less distant shots. There's even a few places that the surroundings perfectly frame one or two of the presidential carvings.
While not inside the national memorial, photographers would be interested in knowing that, just past the entrance, there's an overlook often referred to as the profile turnout. It's worth making a stop to snap a photo of the man referred to as the father of the United States!
A second interesting photo can be shot from the Doane Robinson Tunnel on the Iron Mountain Road just outside of Custer State Park.
The Winner for Photographers
When choosing a winner for photographers, a simple question must first be answered, "Is the goal indoor or outdoor photography?". With the majority of the area at Mount Rushmore being outdoors, of the two locations, there are more opportunities for unique outdoor photos. On the other hand, Crazy Horse has a number of indoor facilities offering more chances to capture some indoor shots.
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For Hikers
Those trying to hit a certain number of daily steps may wonder which location has better hiking opportunities:Crazy Horse Memorial
Although the grounds of the memorial cover about 1,000 acres, there's no hiking options during most days of the year. The only exception is for those participating in a bi-annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch. It's an opportunity each spring and fall to complete a 10K (6.2 mile) uphill hike to the arm of Crazy Horse along the dirt trails and gravel roads.Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Albeit a short one, at least the Presidential Trail gives an opportunity to add some steps to your daily count.The 0.6 mile long concrete and boardwalk trail can't be considered a real workout, but with 422 stair steps to climb and some great views of Mount Rushmore along the way, it's definitely worth your time. (Those who choose to bypass the Information Center and Avenue of Flags can also hike the short Nature Trail which leads directly to the Borglum View Terrace and Sculptor's Studio.)
The trailhead for the one-mile long Blackberry Trail is near the Mount Rushmore parking lot - just across SD 244. For those who want to embark on an even longer hiking adventure, the hiking trail (which is shared with equestrians) is a moderately strenuous gravel trail that connects to the Centennial Trail.
The Winner Based on Hiking Opportunities
Although you probably won't meet your daily step goal within the national memorial, with it's limited hiking opportunities Mount Rushmore wins the trophy for hikers!
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For Shopping and Dining
For many, no visit to a tourist attraction is complete without purchasing a souvenir. And, if you plan to spend the better part of the day exploring and shopping, you may want the option to dine while you're there as well. While we aren't big shoppers and didn't eat a full meal during our visits, we can share what we observed:Crazy Horse Memorial
Korczak's Heritage, Inc. operates the gift shop, snack shop and restaurant inside the Crazy Horse Visitor Complex. Due to its size, the shop takes some time to explore, but you're likely to find plenty of souvenir or gift options. During our brief visit, we did see a unique selection of items handcrafted by Native Americans.Situated with an excellent view of the Crazy Horse carving, the Laughing Water Restaurant is described as having "casually elegant dining". Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, however hours do range as do which meals are offered, both depending on the season.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Xanterra Travel Collection operates the Gift Shop and Bookstore and the collection of onsite restaurants and snack shops. Along with apparel and souvenirs/gifts, the shop sells Black Hills Gold, the state's official jewelry.
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The dining area, Carver's Cafe, offers both indoor and outdoor seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner (meal offerings and hours change seasonally). From a more upscale meal at Dakota Kitchen to Memorial Grill or lighter fare from Black Hills Harvest, there's a variety of dining options and price ranges. There's even a coffee shop offering a selection of drinks (including alcoholic beverages) and an ice cream shop. In addition to sweets and grab and go food items, the shop is most known for their vanilla ice cream which is made according to the original 1780 recipe created by Thomas Jefferson.
The Winner Based on Souvenir Shopping and Dining Opportunities
Since we didn't make any purchases from the gift shops nor eat meals at either location, it would be unfair for us to name a winner in this category. We can, however, confirm that our ice cream from Memorial Team Ice Cream sure was yummy!Evening Programs
Both Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse offer evening programs that are quite different from the other:
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Crazy Horse Memorial
Legends in Light, a multimedia laser-light show is displayed on the mountainside each evening during the summer months. Choreographed to music, laser images highlight the role that Native Americans have played in our society.Mount Rushmore National Memorial
During peak season, the 45 minute long Evening Lighting Ceremony is a fun and patriotic way to cap off a visit to Mount Rushmore. The "pre-program" during our visit allowed some of the youth in attendance to share what they learned by participating in the Junior Ranger Program.Before the lighting of the memorial, the program includes a brief ranger talk followed by a film. The ceremony concludes with an emotional folding of the flag with the assistance of current and former members of the military and their families.
The Winner Based on Evening Programs
The four of us enjoyed both of the evening performances for different reasons. Although I hate to declare another tie, choosing a winner between two totally different programs really depends on personal preferences. Those enjoying traditional patriotic programs will likely prefer Mount Rushmore's evening program. On the other hand, the Crazy Horse program will probably be more appealing to those with a keen interest in up-to-date technology or Native American culture.
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial or Crazy Horse Memorial
We've offered our thoughts for those considering whether they should visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse or both based on a range of interests. For our readers who have visited both destinations, we'd love to hear your opinion as well. Or, if you have yet to visit, which destination is at the top of your list and why?Custer State Park
Located a short drive away, Custer State Park is another favorite destination for locals and travelers alike. Don't miss our recent article, 10 Things to See and Do at Custer State Park to help plan your visit to this must see destination in the Black Hills.
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