I have now been here three times: once in the early 90’s for about an hour, on our way to Alaska in 2019, and briefly with my grandson in April of 21. I understand the scope of the work, the effort behind the dream, and the desire to honor significant leaders of the United States but it just doesn’t charm me. I am a clear minority in that opinion as the park is built for crowds. On our one longer visit, we walked the Presidential Trail directly under the enormous sculptures, took a tour of the artist’s studio, and enjoyed a ice cream at the Visitor Center/book store/gift shop/restaurant complex. Touring the site was worth the time, and the studio and walkway of state flags are both interesting. I don’t need another stop here but there is so much to see in the area that a fourth time... maybe.
One of the neatest things was to approach Rushmore by way of the Iron Mountain Road. On it you encounter some good views and travel through two or three hand dug tunnels that frame the four faces.
The parking is on a multi-level pay lot which is a bit of a walk from the viewing platforms. They do have a Starbucks and, predictably, there was a line. But even more critically they have decent ice cream and feature Jefferson as the one who popularized ice cream in the US with a clever T-shirt or two.
Cadillac’s Viewpoint: This park is great. Good ice cream, lattes, A/C and comfy seats while the actual park is a short walk and all you have to do is look. Not sure who those guys are but a certain Moose would really brighten up the vista. Course then they’d need another parking garage. Cadillac’s Elevation 4+ Antlers
