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    Crazy Horse Memorial

    3.4 (554 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Crazy horse from the patio at the museum. Note the crane.
    Mark G.

    Very impressive monument. No real definite timeline for completion. We took a tour with a local guide who explained that the outstretched arm should be done in a couple of years. Our tour took us into the actual monument site at ground level. And we got some neat pics. But we have seen pics of the place from years ago and it does not seem to have advanced much to completion. The museums are interesting a lot of indigenous people history and souvenirs. The restaurants were pedestrian and not really worth a stop but we pre-paid for a meal with our tour so had a bite. Not much of a selection. Grab a meal before you go if you can. It is worth a stop. Mark & Nancy.

    Laura M.

    Worth the admission fee. Ask for a return voucher if you don't finish it in one visit. Resident Oglala Lakota artist was interesting. The Bell family Hoop Dancers were amazing. And the other speakers and artists were informative and interesting, too. Enjoy!

    Crazy Horse
    J H.

    Rip Off! $12 a person and you can't even get to the sight unless you pay another $5 a person. You can see what you want to see from the road - stop and take a picture and save your time and money. In addition, it's a scam, because the carving has barely changed in 40 years. This will never be a finished product. Don't waste your money at this private site.

    Rees's Roots - Crazy Horse Memorial South Dakota
    Rees's R.

    Crazy Horse Memorial was honestly one of the most impressive stops of our entire South Dakota road trip. Pictures really do not prepare you for how massive this mountain carving actually is in person. The scale is unbelievable, and learning that it has been actively worked on since 1948 makes it even more fascinating. What surprised me most was how much there is to do besides just looking at the mountain. The museums, cultural exhibits, artwork, and history throughout the memorial made the experience feel much deeper and more meaningful. You can tell there is a huge focus on honoring Native American culture and preserving history, which made the visit feel educational as well as visually incredible. We also highly recommend doing the bus tour to get closer to the carving because it really helps you understand the size and detail of the project. The views from the property are beautiful, and there are so many great photo opportunities everywhere you look. If you are visiting the Black Hills or heading to Mount Rushmore, this is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. It ended up being one of the most memorable places we visited in South Dakota, and I would definitely go back again. Check out our videos on our socials @reessroots

    Nicho S.

    I had mixed emotions about the Crazy Horse Memorial because it is no where ready to be experienced because they have been working on it since the late 40's. I then educated myself on the reason why. Funding, set backs, the care and respect that is being given to the mountain, proper creative process and not accepting government funding all are respectful factors. This changed my whole perspective. We need to support this memorial. It will truly be an amazing memorial when it is finished.

    Caleb S.

    Crazy horse memorial beat sight, there is an entrance fee and then if you want to get closer there is another 5$ fee to ride the bus down near memorial

    Dan R.

    "Shine on, you crazy diamond" (Pink Floyd) Q: With no government funding, how long does it take to carve a mountain into a statue of an Indian leader on his horse? A: Probably 100 years or so. That's right, because the Crazy Horse Memorial was started in 1948 and is far from completion. The memorial was started by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Lakota elder Henry Standing Bear, who wanted to honor the legacy of the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the first blast on Thunderhead Mountain marked the official start of what will be one of the most ambitious mountain carvings in history. Despite being under construction for over 75 years, the memorial remains unfinished. It is entirely funded through private donations and admission fees, with no government funding accepted--a factor that has contributed to its slow progress. The completed sculpture is planned to be 641 feet long and 563 feet high, making it the largest mountain carving in the world once finished. One interesting thing we learned during our visit was unlike Mount Rushmore, visitors are encouraged to take home rock fragment survivors of the blasting! The granite rocks laying on the ground are pink and gray with fine quartz fragments that create a shiny speckled appearance, like twinkling stars. Of course, we scooped up a few of the rocks for some undetermined future purpose. The memorial was designed to honor the living heritage of the North American Indians. The Indian Museum of North America and The Native American Educational and Cultural Center complement the massive, but unfinished, statue. When our bus pulled up into the complex and we caught our first glimpse of Crazy Horse's massive head, it was quite a thrill. There was a big construction crane up there, evidence of the continuing effort to carve away the mountain into the statue. So, who was Crazy Horse? He was a legendary Lakota war leader known for his fierce resistance to U.S. expansion into Native American lands. He played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where he helped defeat General Custer's forces. Revered for his bravery and spiritual vision, Crazy Horse was fatally wounded in 1877 when he was stabbed in the back with an Army bayonet after surrendering. This immortalized him as he became a symbol of Native American resilience and defiance.

    I got to buy a rock!
    Megan K.

    This was a happy little accident and I'm so glad I made a split second decision to go off course from my plan. I was on my way to Mount Rushmore and saw the entrance and pulled over into the turning lane and turned in. They're not part of NPS so it costs $10 I think to get in? I don't remember but it was very reasonable, and I parked and went inside the museum. They had a jeweler there named Derek Ashley and I ended up buying over $200 worth of his crystal jewelry, it's fantastic. You get to also walk into the shop of the sculptor and I paid a donation to buy a rock and bring it home with me. Overall a very cool and educational experience, I can't wait to watch the progress of this memorial over the years.

    History of progress of Crazy Horse Memorial
    Dar R.

    Great experience at the Crazy Horse Memorial! $12 per person to get in and then $5 per person if you choose to take the bus ride - so $34 for my husband and I to have an amazing afternoon of getting educated about this incredible undertaking. We truly enjoyed watching thorough videos of the history of the artist and his agreements with the Lakota tribe to make this dream a reality. There are so many spaces to explore, and we even were able to take home a rock from some of the mountain for our grandson. The memorial is breathtaking, even though they haven't completed the project yet. It's an absolute Marvel to behold. 5-star experience !

    Pamela S.

    Had a wonderful day visiting Crazy Horse Memorial. They charge $ 15.00 a person to enter. Then hand you a red ticket that you turn in once you enter the visitor center/ museum. Parking was easy and near by. The museum building is beautiful. Many items from the personal home of the sculpture and tons of Native Americans artifacts. They have a Resturant, gift shop and stage area outside area where we watched a music performance. A $ 5.00 bus ride takes you near by the Crazy horse Monument, however we did not take it. It's an amazing memorial honoring the Native Americans and a must see.

    Andrea U.

    This enormous monument was started in 1948 & it's still being worked on. The center was created to honor the native Americans of North America. We took the bus again to the base of Crazy Horse. We admired the enormous gift shops, Native American University of North America, hospital, sculptors studio, Indian Cultural Center, Laughing Water Restaurant, observation patio, Native American Museum of North America ... enjoying the movie & information presented. There was so much to see & do and see that we could have spent days here. This mountain monument is under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota. It will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, riding a horse & pointing to his tribal land. The memorial was commissioned by Henry Standing Bear, a Lakota elder, to be sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski. It has been operated by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Ziolkowski's 7 children, and many grandchildren are still working on the monument and grounds here.

    Crazy Horse Memorial
    Nick A.

    This is a great monument to visit that is still in progress. Make sure to first watch the short documentary on the history of the memorial in the welcome center/museum theater for background. Prices are kind of steep but this massive undertaking is 100% funded by visitors. We will definitely be back to see the progress in the next few years.

    Catherine M.

    $5.00 for a bus ride to the monument, $15 per person to enter for the experience of the movie, museum, cabin, and workshop. .25 cents for ise of viewing binoculars. I would suggest the bus ride it was informative and good photo op. Much more work to be done here on the monument. Be aware there are no hikes to the monument tours only, except for 5k in June and September ( sounds like June hets more participation 100,000).

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    Review Highlights - Crazy Horse Memorial

    The memorial was commissioned by Henry Standing Bear, a Lakota elder, to be sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski.

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    Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 07.04.24 July 4th at Keystone SD

    Mount Rushmore National Memorial

    4.5(793 reviews)
    9.5 mi

    I love that there is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore, but you do have to pay for parking. It was…read moreregularly $10 or if you're over 62 it's five dollars you take a ticket when you go into the parking lot and you will pay at a pay station before you leave. It will ask you if you're over 62 There is a lot of room to view the monument as well as a restaurant, gift shop, clean restrooms, and plenty of areas to sit on benches and such to enjoy the environment Definitely something you need to check off your bucket list

    Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of those places that feels instantly recognizable in a way…read morephotos never fully prepare you for. The scale and setting change the experience the moment you arrive. The approach itself is scenic, with winding roads and forested surroundings that built anticipation before the monument even came into view. I kept glancing through the trees, waiting for the first glimpse. Once I reached the main viewing area, the carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln appeared set into the granite cliff. The effect felt both precise and surprisingly integrated into the natural rock face, as if the mountain had always intended to hold them. The visitor area is designed around walking paths and viewing platforms. I took my time moving along them, gradually changing my perspective. From a distant panoramic view to closer vantage points, the details in the stone became more apparent with each step. The space felt open and well maintained, with a structured layout that encouraged moving around rather than staying in one spot. I found myself pausing at different angles, noticing how the light shifted across the faces as the afternoon wore on.

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    Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 07.04.24 George Washington

    07.04.24 George Washington

    Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 07.04.24 Miss South Dakota, Joelle Simpson

    07.04.24 Miss South Dakota, Joelle Simpson

    Mount Rushmore National Memorial - Outside

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    Deadwood - Lower Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota

    Deadwood

    3.9(16 reviews)
    38.5 mi

    I was here 18 years ago I was excited to come back. It wasn't as good as I remembered, now it's a…read morelot more commercialized with big chain hotels and slot machine machines everywhere Main Street in Deadwood is filled with casinos, resort hotels, full-service spas, big name concerts, a hospital, old photo shops, restaurants, gift shops and some of the best parties. We walked in the footsteps of legends that made history here since 1876. In 1876, miners moved into the northern Black Hills, they found gold & Deadwood was born. Overnight, the tiny gold camp boomed & attracted outlaws, gamblers and gunslingers & gold seekers. Wild Bill Hickok was one of those men who came looking for fortune. But just a few short weeks after arriving, he was gunned down while holding a poker hand of aces and eights - forever after known as the Dead Man's Hand. Calamity Jane also made a name for herself in these parts and is buried next to Hickok in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Other legends, like Potato Creek Johnny, Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen, created their legends and legacies in this tiny Black Hills town. Deadwood Alive is a theater troupe that reenacts the major historic events such as the Trial of Jack McCall and Wild Bill's assassination that inspired legends. Unfortunately, there aren't any shootouts or activities on Main Street on Sundays. I was told I could watch it on a cam live from deadwood.com

    Deadwood was recently voted as the "Cutest City" in all of South Dakota and I will say after…read moretraveling at all, I believe this is true. It is very much what you think, old western storefronts. The entire vibe is pretty much old west, complete with a cowboy shootout in the streets. In the square outside the Franklin Hotel, they often have music, which was a welcome addition on a cool night. Also in the Franklin Hotel is an AMAZING steakhouse called Legends Steakhouse. Get a reservation because you'll need one, and treat yourself to a fantastic steak. I was in deadwood for two days and found that to be just about the right amount of time to experience this historic, interesting, welcoming South Dakota city.

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    Deadwood - Daytime

    Daytime

    Deadwood - Daytime

    Daytime

    Deadwood - Town

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    Town

    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit

    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit

    4.5(11 reviews)
    26.5 mi

    A temporarily placed statue of Pres. Lincoln outside the Hotel Alex Johnson, Don Perdue came up…read morewith the idea to put a life-sized statue of every U.S. President on the sidewalks of Downtown Rapid City. Each statue is privately funded, then a local artists is selected . They research the president ; learning their passions, hobbies & achievements during their presidency. Well known mannerisms or characteristics are incorporated. This information helps to decide on the pose, facial expression, clothing, and all the amazingly tiny details found on each statue. After they have their concept the sculpting work can begin. It can take up to 9 months for each statue to be created. All the statues match the height & weight of the president except one. Pres. Taft's statue was trimmed down from his actual weight to make the monument affordable. A new audio tour allows us to get to know each as people, not just presidents. We can now dial in or scan the QR code found in the brochure to read along. The audio will even point out those tiny details the artist added info we might overlook.

    We were in the area for Mount Rushmore, and were looking for other historic things to do/see. The…read moreFounding Fathers exhibit is really a unique experience. Being able to walk around a display with that kind of detail is impressive. I just wish that there was a bit more included in the price. It is $12 per person (discounts for large families/groups). This price includes a light and audio show (about 20 min) of a life size replica of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For $30 per person, you get to see the show and shoot 3 shots from a musket at the range out back. The light and audio show was a pretty standard museum type explanation of the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and the people involved. It's well done and fun to look at. They have information around the room to look at afterwards that gives you a background of all the people mentioned. The stories on them are worth taking a few minutes to read and was probably my favorite part. We really just didnt get enough out of it to make it worth the stop, especially for the price. We were in and out of there in less than an hour. We loved the idea of being able to shoot the replica guns out back and it would have been a fun way to complete the experience, but for $30 each it just didn't make sense. I'm glad we checked it out, but its needs a bit more included to make the detour worth it.

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    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit
    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit
    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit

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    Preacher Smith Historical Marker - Monument

    Preacher Smith Historical Marker

    4.0(3 reviews)
    39.9 mi

    I'm a sucker for a historical marker and this is a good one. There's enough space to park and step…read moreoutside. There's a good view of the trees and mountains. And there's a good story on the marker: "'Deadwood's Sky Pilot,' Henry Weston Smith, was born in Ellington, Connecticut, January 10, 1828. At 23 he became a Methodist exhorter. This led to ordination in the Methodist Episcopal church and he served various communities in New England. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army. Caring for the wounded may have turned his mind to healing, for he studied the practice of medicine and was licensed in 1867. In 1876 he joined the great rush to these Black Hills - - not to mine gold but to claim lives for God. Reading and writing poetry eased his loneliness. During the week he performed manual labor to send savings to his family in Kentucky and to sustain himself as he preached on Deadwood's main street. On Sunday, August 20, 1876, after service in Deadwood, he tacked a note on his cabin door saying he had gone to Crook City to preach. On the way he was shot. In his pocket were the notes, now blood-stained, for the undelivered sermon. His Bible lay unopened. The Society of Black Hills Pioneers erected this monument in 1914 where he was killed.

    The history is amazing around the hills. Stop at all the points of interest to learn something newread more

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    Preacher Smith Historical Marker - Stone marker dedicated to Preacher Smith

    Stone marker dedicated to Preacher Smith

    Preacher Smith Historical Marker - View

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    Preacher Smith Historical Marker - Stone marker dedicated to Preacher Smith

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    Stone marker dedicated to Preacher Smith

    Crazy Horse Memorial - landmarks - Updated July 2026

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