Mount Rushmore’s Trail Plans

Most visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial don’t realize that it’s actually a 1,278-acre park. Its boundaries stretch to the surrounding ridges, gulches and natural rock formations.

Now the National Park Service is looking at plans to open a 6- to 10-mile hiking trail to let visitors to explore beyond the existing grounds of the National Memorial.

According to the proposal, one trail loop would take you through rock climbing areas north of the mountain carving. Another would follow the ridge south of S.D. Highway 244, affording an almost eye-level view of Mount Rushmore. A third would let you view the flora and fauna of Lafferty Gulch to the east. The new trail system would also hook up with the Centennial Trail and, perhaps, the Mickelson Trail.

Right now the NPS is working on environmental documents and other planning. If you’d like to see more about the project – or post a comment – CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile, you don’t have to wait for the trail to explore the countryside around Rushmore. In fact, one of my favorite short hikes is along Grizzly Bear Creek just south of the monument. You can park your car near the Grizzly Bear Campground on the Iron Mountain Road and walk in from there.

The trail starts at the end of the campground loop. If you stay on it long enough – not easy in the upper reaches — you can find yourself at the base of a very cool waterfall. If you venture far enough, you should connect with the Centennial Trial.

And if you’re feeling ambitious, you can scramble up the rocky ridge and find yourself face-to-face with George and Abe. Be sure to bring a camera. (I didn’t…. grrrr.)