Mount Rushmore Night Show/Lighting Ceremony

We timed our arrival there a couple of years ago for about an hour before sundown. That gave us a chance to still see the monument in the daylight and find good seats for the lighting, which was spectacular!

Granted this was quite a few years ago, but we went probably an hour or so early. At that time the rangers did an informational program which was interesting and kept the kids entertained.

Lighting Ceremony is Great! We went twice, once during the day and again that night since the parking ticket was good all day. I have to tell this story real quick, as we were leaving the Lighting Ceremony, the car directly in front of us, leaving the parking area, had a license plate frame with my brother's name on it. Not just first name but first and last...my brother was with us and we sat there dumbfounded for a moment. Just kinda weird!!!

As a South Dakota native I can tell you that the lighting ceremony will make you proud to be an American. All the military veterans and current military are asked to come forward and be recognized before the lighting. I was so proud to be part of that group.

x 2 on all that has been said so far (except the license plate story).

Where are you camping? The drive back to the campground after the show can be ... interesting ... if you have any distance to go. We were camped at Custer State Park, and we drove back on the narrow, winding, mountainous roads. It was pitch dark, very deserted, and GPS service was spotty. We didn't have any problems, but if we had managed to get off track, we may have wandered around for hours trying to find our way.

Just be aware.

-Speak

What we did was park in Keystone and bike up the hill. Allowed easier access to everything. If that is not possible then the earlier in the day the better. It can get very busy.

Since the cancellation of fireworks it has not been as crowded as in the past.