Plan Your Visit

Nearly three million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. The busiest months are June, July and August. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. Use the links below to plan your visit to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills.

Need advice about planning your trip?  Check out the NPS Trip Planning Guide to help make your visit safe and enjoyable.

  • Hike SmartHiking is a great way to explore national parks! The best thing you can do to have a fun and safe hiking adventure is plan ahead of time. Check out these tips on planning your hike, the essential gear you should pack, and how to Hike Smart.
  • NPS Trip Planning Guide – Make your fun adventure a safe one too! No one plans on getting hurt while out exploring in a National Park. However, nature is unpredictable, structures are historical, and your equipment can unexpectedly fail. Planning ahead can be the key to a fun and safe adventure. Remember, safety starts with you! Learn more about how you can be prepared for your adventure!
  • When Thunder Roars, Go IndoorsThere is NO PLACE outside that is safe during a thunderstorm! Learn how to avoid the threat and protect yourself from a lightning strike.
  • Go For a Swim In The Park – Swimming in open, natural waters is very different from swimming in pools. Learn what you can do to have a safe and fun adventure around, on, or in open natural water in national parks.
  • Arrival at the Park: “Ask a Ranger” – It’s the morning of your trip and you’re preparing to travel to the park. The information in this article provides some important considerations before leaving and when you arrive at the park. Make sure you and your group are ready for your adventure when you arrive!
  • Emergency PlanningAs a Trip Leader, you have worked hard to plan your group adventure in a national park. Everyone is ready and excited to experience nature in some of the most beautiful places our nation has to offer. Read this article to learn more about preparing for an emergency, such as an injured or lost person, during your trip.
  • Trip PlanYou’ve put a lot of though into planning for your trip. Have you prepared a trip plan that you can leave with a family or friend who is not going on your trip in case an emergency arises and you don’t arrive back when expected? Learn more about what to include in your trip plan.
  • After the Trip: Share the Experience – You just wrapped up an amazing adventure in a national park! Take time after your trip to assess what went right and what went wrong. Identify lessons learned and share your experience with others!
  • During the Trip: Assess & Adjust – You are setting out on your adventure with your family, friends or group. Use these principles to avoid some of the common mistakes made that could lead to an injury while recreating in a national park.
  • Before the Trip: “Know Before You Go” – You’ve decided to take a trip to a national park either alone, with your family and friends, or as a group leader. Do you know what information you should research and what skills you should practice before you head out? Use these trip planning principles to help you, your family, friends and group members prepare and “Know Before You Go”.