Doane Robinson, a historian, conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore in 1923 in order to attract greater tourism to South Dakota. In 1924, Robinson persuaded sculptor Gutzon Borglum to go to the Black Hills region to ensure that the carving could be accomplished.  Between October 4, 1927 and October 31, 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers sculpted the 60 foot colossal carvings of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150 years of American history. These presidents were selected by Borglum because of their national focus.
Borglum died from an embolism in March of 1941. His son, Lincoln Borglum, continued the project, but insufficient funding forced the carving to end. Originally, it was planned that the sculpture would be carved from head to waist.The entire project had cost $989,992.32. Notably for a project of such size, no workers died during the carving.

MUSEUMS
Lincoln Borglum Museum
Open All Year
Winter- 7-days a week (October 1st - April 30th) 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
May 1st - 13th 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Summer - May 14th - August 31st 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fall- September 1st - September 30th 8:00 am - 9:00 pm.

RANGER STATIONS
Mount Rushmore Information Center
Open All Year
Winter - 7-days a week (October 1st- April 30th ) 8:00 am - 5:00pm
May 1st - 13th 2006 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Summer - May 14th - August 31st 2006 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fall - September 1 - September 30th 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

Parking Fee
$8.00 - Annual
$50.00 Bus - Day

The $8.00 parking fee is a special use fee and is valid for the entire calendar year and is the only fee within the park. This is not a Federal entrance fee, so National Park Passes, Golden Age, Access and Eagle Passports are not accepted. Bus parking fee: $50 for a 24 hour time period.

Visitors traveling on I-90 should exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Visitors coming from the south should follow Highway 385 north to Highway 244, which is the road leading to the memorial.