Destination Attractions: Mt. Rushmore, SD

Mt. Rushmore, one of the greatest stone carvings ever made, is a fantastic place to take the family on vacation. This travel guide includes a list of things to do and see in the area.

If you're traveling anywhere around South Dakota's Black Hills this year, or even if you live near there, don't miss out on the awesome Mt. Rushmore, one of the world's most fantastic rock creations. The initial carving of the 5,725 foot mountain began in 1927 by Gutzon Borglum, a sculptor. 14 years and a million dollars later, we have the famous Mt. Rushmore, with the faces of 4 of our past presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. This memorial is so huge that the faces alone stretch 60 feet. Between the concession building at Mt. Rushmore and the Grandview Terrace, is the Avenue of Flags, which holds the flags of 56 states and territories. The Grandview Terrace's name says it all. You can see scenic views from there and then hit the Presidential Trail, a half mile walking trail where you can see close-ups of the memorial. All of this is set against a back drop of forestry consisting of evergreens and clear mountain air.

If you visit Mt. Rushmore between May and September, you can see the nightly lighting of the sculpture which happens around 9 p.m. and gives a beauty to the memorial which is unseen in the daylight. Weather in the area is cold and wintry, often until April, then May and June present many thunderstorms, sometimes including hail. July and August are warm and comfortable, with the leaves beginning to change color in September. After visiting the memorial, you can then watch a movie which tells of the years of hard work that went in to building the statue, and of the lives lost in trying to do so. Then, off to the Lincoln Borglum museum to see displays and exhibits pertaining to the Mountain, the sculpture and the family who started this massive project. There are rangers on hand to provide you with information about the park, lead tourists through the trails and give various presentations. And of course there's a gift shop where you can buy Black Hills Gold Jewelry, mini statues of the famous carving, t-shirts, and other souvenirs.

Many people travel to Mt. Rushmore on Independence Day solely to visit the memorial during the July 4th celebration, where hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fireworks are ignited, giving an unforgettable display of lights and color which is absolutely breathtaking and heart-thumping.

There are lots of campgrounds and resorts in the Mt. Rushmore area, but if the weather doesn't permit camping, there's no shortage of motels and inns. There are dozens of trails to hike and mountainsides to explore and when it's time for food, pay a visit to Mt. Rushmore's Buffalo Dining Room, or any number of eateries in the area.

If you've come all this way mainly for the scenery, take a drive along Needles Highway in Custer State Park where you'll pass Sylvan Lake and more Black Hills fantastic scenery of lakes, bridges, tunnels and forests. Some of the animals you're likely to see along the way are bison, prairie dogs, elk and deer. On US 14A, a 20 mile scenic byway, you'll drive through ancient canyons, famous for hiking and fishing expeditions.

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