The Black Hills of South Dakota is a region steeped in natural beauty and history. Mount Rushmore National Monument and the Crazy Horse Memorial are two monumental sculptural attractions that sometimes jut out and sometimes fit in with the surrounding landscape.
Mount Rushmore, carved into the granite face of a mountain is an iconic American monument. The 60-foot-tall faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were sculpted by Gutzon Borglum and his team from 1927 to 1941. Visitors to Mount Rushmore can explore the Presidential Trail, visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, and attend the nightly lighting ceremony, which includes illumination of the sculptures.
A short drive from Mount Rushmore, is the Crazy Horse Memorial, a work in progress that aims to be the world's largest mountain carving. Initiated in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the invitation of Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, the monument honors the legendary Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. When completed, it will depict Crazy Horse riding a horse and pointing into the distance. The memorial includes an extensive visitor center with exhibits on Native American history and culture, and the Indian University of North America. The juxtaposition of Mount Rushmore's presidential faces with the emerging figure of Crazy Horse symbolize the diverse forces that have shaped the land.
The Black Hills are filled with pine-covered mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. The region offers numerous local craft vendors and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping and fishing. Custer State Park, located nearby, is famous for its scenic drives, including the Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors can see bison, elk, and pronghorn in their natural habitat. Wall Drug, a playful roadside attraction is a little more than an hour away.
