Mt. Rushmore, SD

Take a Hike

In and around Mt. Rushmore, there are hiking trails for all levels of expertise:

• In the park. Most trails here are marked "easy," except the ones with lots of steps. Be sure to grab a trail map at the main Visitor's Center for a concise description of each trail.
• Black Hills National Forest. Here you'll find 53 miles of hiking and horseback trails leading to Harney Peak, the highest point in the Black Hills.
• Centennial Trail. One mile from Mt. Rushmore, visitors can explore this 111-mile, easy-to-moderate trail, commemorating South Dakota's 100th anniversary of statehood. It's accessible from more than 20 spurs off other trails within the park. Tip: You won't find visitor centers, drinking water, or food anywhere along this trail, so plan accordingly.
• Elk Mountain and Rankin Ridge. These two trails of moderate difficulty lead to nearby Wind Cave National Park. Elk Mountain is a one-mile loop around the park campground and Rankin Ridge is a one-mile loop to the fire tower and back.