Why go
Just a few kilometers from Mount Rushmore, one of the most ambitious monuments in the world is to be built. The Crazy Horse Memorial is said to be the largest rock-cut sculpture on earth – much larger than Mount Rushmore after its completion.
The monument is dedicated to Lakota chief Crazy Horse, who opposed the expulsion of his people in the 19th century. Unlike Mount Rushmore, the monument is not financed by state funds but only by means of entrance fees and donations. As a result, the project develops step by step and changes with every visit.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is much more than a huge sculpture. It combines history, culture, art and education and provides an important insight into the culture of the indigenous peoples of North America.
At a glance
Category | Information
Start of construction | 1948
Ideal stay | 2–4 hours
Fifth-wheel access | Check your vehicle, specific campsite and approach road.
Culture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Photography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Family Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Crazy Horse Monument
Even today, the face and parts of the horse are clearly visible. After the planned completion, the sculpture will be about 195 metres long and 172 metres high.
The dimensions are impressive and can only be properly assessed when people or vehicles become visible in comparison.
Photo Tip
A telephoto lens makes the details of the face particularly impressive. With a wide-angle lens, however, the enormous size of the monument can be captured impressively.
Indian Museum of North America
The museum is one of the highlights of the visit.
Here you can find out more about:
History of the Lakota
Culture of various indigenous peoples
traditional clothing
Arts and crafts
Music
Daily life
Insider tip
Many visitors focus exclusively on the sculpture and miss the museum. It is one of the most informative exhibitions about indigenous culture in all Black Hills.
Native American Educational & Cultural Center
This is where regular demonstrations take place, including:
traditional dance
Music
Crafts
Lectures
The programmes vary according to the season.
Sculptor-Studio
The exhibition shows models, tools and photographs by the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski as well as the history of the decades-long construction project.
Particularly interesting is the original model, which gives an impression of what the finished monument should look like.
Explore Visitor Centre
Plan enough time for the various exhibitions.
They are among the best of their kind in South Dakota.
Visit cultural demonstrations
Traditional dance and music performances are held regularly during the high season.
An exciting insight into the living culture of indigenous peoples.
Evening Light Show
In the summer months, the monument is illuminated after dark.
In addition, a multimedia presentation tells the story of the project.
Photo Tip
The light show looks particularly impressive when the sky is still slightly blue after sunset.
Shopping
The large souvenir shop offers mostly high-quality products.
Particularly recommended:
Books about the Lakota
Arts and crafts
Jewelry
regional products
hand-made gift items
Many articles come directly from artists of indigenous communities.
Laughing Water Restaurant
The restaurant offers a direct view of the monument.
Recommended are:
Bison Burger
Indian Taco
Buffalo Chili
homemade desserts
Love of the locals
The Indian Taco is one of the best known regional specialties and should be tried.
High Country Guest Ranch Restaurant
Cozy restaurant a few minutes away.
Known for:
Steaks
BBQ
regional cuisine
Rafter J Bar Ranch
Just a few minutes' drive away.
Benefits:
Full Hook-up
quiet forest location
Large pull-through pitches
ideal for Fifth Wheels
Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch
Perfect starting point for:
Crazy Horse Memorial
Mount Rushmore
Custer State Park
Very good infrastructure.
Oreville Campground
Quiet National Forest Campground.
No hook-ups.
Ideal for nature lovers.
RV tip
The parking spaces are generously laid out and also suitable for campers. If you visit several sights in the Black Hills, you can still park your team on a central campground and explore the region with the pickup truck.
Insider tip
First visit Mount Rushmore and then Crazy Horse. So you get an exciting comparison between two completely different monuments – both in their history and in their statement.
Photo Tip
With slightly cloudy sky, the contours of the monument often seem more contrasting than with bright sunshine.
Avoid frequent errors
Plan enough time for the museum and exhibitions.
Learn about the times of cultural demonstrations and the evening show.
The monument is constantly changing – older photos often no longer correspond to the current construction progress.
Avoid visiting only at lunchtime, as the light on the rock face is then shallowest.
Our recommendation
The Crazy Horse Memorial is not a classic monument, but a place that tells history and inspires reflection. While Mount Rushmore symbolizes the emergence of the United States, Crazy Horse recalls the perspective of indigenous peoples and adds an important cultural dimension to the Black Hills' visit.