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Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore

Keystone, South Dakota

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

0.71 miles

Elevation Gain

137 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by CampCo

The closest possible access to Mount Rushmore National Monument is achieved by walking the Presidential Trail, which takes you to the bottom of the rock pile below the carving. This loop trail is just shy of 1 mile and offers a unique perspective with a chance to view some wildlife.

Expect there to be crowds as it is a very popular trail, but there are ample opportunities to grab a great photo at different spots and rest points. There are 422 stairs that lead to multiple viewing deck areas and viewpoints.

Due to stairs on the eastern portion of this trail, this trail is only partially wheelchair and stroller accessible and is better accessed in a clockwise direction. In order to access the monument and trail, there is an $11 entrance fee per vehicle. The trail is open between May and November.

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Features

Hiking
Bathrooms
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Scenic
ADA Accessible

Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore Reviews

Good loop to see Mt. Rushmore from diff angles. Make sure to stop off for some refreshments, it gets hot there!

Great views of the monument await you. Be sure to do the full loop as you can stand very close to under the monument. After the short hike which for the most part is on pavement or boardwalk be sure to check out the visitor center and other exhibits.

This is a nice walk around and you get different views of the heads. I wouldn’t recommend going during sturgis as my mom and I did when we were passing through cause everything in the vicinity is packed, but worth the stop to see it! Crazy to think they did it all from hanging on a rope

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Mt. Rushmore Profile View

Horse Thief Lake Trail

Hike to Ingersoll Abandoned Mine

Rock Climb at 1880 Wall

Hike Iron Creek Trail #15

Hike Willow Creek Trail

Go Great Places in South Dakota

In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.

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