Mount Rushmore National Memorial · South Dakota

Presidential Trail

0.3 mi of trail, end to end · about 10 ft of climbing · 100 ft of descent · 5,158 ft–5,268 ft

Visitor centers

5,256 ft 5,158 ft · 0.1 mi high 5,256 ft

Along the way Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center

Trailheads Presidential Trail Trailhead 5,249 ft Drive there · Presidential Trail Trailhead 5,256 ft Drive there

Walk the Presidential Trail the Park Service's write-up

20-45 Minutes · no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall · season The trail is open all year, weather permitting. During winter the trail is frequently closed when it is covered with snow and ice.

Photo of the beginning of the Presidential Trail leading towards the sculpture.
The beginning of the Presidential Trail leading towards the sculpture. Photo: NPS Photo

This 0.6 mile trail provides changing views of Mount Rushmore as you walk among granite outcrops and through ponderosa pine trees. Start from the Grand View Terrace. As you face the mountain go to the far left side to begin the trail. The first 0.2 miles is a handicapped accessible trail to the base of Mount Rushmore. The final 0.4 miles has 422 stairs and brings you back to the Grand View Terrace.

Pets Service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements , are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities on this trail.

Accessibility The first 0.2 miles of this trail is a sidewalk and boardwalk with a very slight incline that leads to the base of the sculpture. Benches are located along the trail to provide a place to rest. Service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements , are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities on this trail.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 3 trails in Mount Rushmore National MemorialFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.