Navigate Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills on your schedule with a GPS-activated audio guide. Learn engineering, local history, and practical tips while you drive and walk the monument’s best viewpoints.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You pull off Iron Mountain Road as ponderous granite rises above the pines and, through your headphones, a voice cues you to slow down. The presidents’ carved visages peer over a rim of trees—unexpectedly intimate from this roadside angle—and the audio guide moves between concise history and local color as the road unfurls.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–13 hours
Fitness Level
Light activity—mostly driving with short paved or gravel walks; suitable for most fitness levels
Wildlife
History
Mount Rushmore was carved largely between 1927–1941 under sculptor Gutzon Borglum; the Black Hills landscape has longer sacred and cultural significance for Lakota communities.
Conservation
Stay on marked roads and trails, pack out trash, and observe wildlife from a distance; high visitation stresses parking and local habitats, so timing and restraint reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Guide today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Redeem the code and download the Shaka Guide tour on Wi‑Fi so narration and offline maps work without cell service.
Visit early or late
Arrive at opening or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds and get better light for photos.
Dress in layers
Wind and shade make temperatures change quickly on the bluff—pack a windbreaker and sun protection.
Respect wildlife and signs
Stay on marked paths and in your vehicle in parking areas—bison and other wildlife can be unpredictable.
Fully charged smartphone
Runs the app and offline maps; save battery with airplane mode and a downloaded tour.
Layered clothing (light jacket and sun layer)
Spring can be cool and windy—layers let you adjust between sun and shade.
spring
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is key during sunny summer drives and short hikes.
summer
Comfortable walking shoes
Trails and viewpoint paths are short but may be uneven or rocky.