Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony from Rapid City

The granite faces glow at night while the anthem plays

The Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony is an evening tour departing from Rapid City hotels at 6:30 pm, driving 45 minutes to the monument for a program that opens with a ranger talk and film, peaks when the lights illuminate the four presidents' faces at 8:30 pm, and includes a flag retirement ceremony honoring veterans and military. Hotel pickup, admission, bottled water and snacks are included. You'll return to Rapid City around 9:45 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

• Pick up from Rapid City hotel
• Drive 45 minutes to Mt Rushmore
• Arrive and get seat at amphitheater
• Attend 10-minute Ranger Talk
• Watch 20-minute historical video
• Listen to National Anthem and see lighting
• Veterans retire the flag on stage
• Return to Rapid City hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your Rapid City hotel between 6:30 and 6:45 pm, then a 45-minute drive to Mount Rushmore. You'll arrive by 7:30 pm with time to find a seat in the amphitheater before the 8:00 pm program begins. A park ranger gives a 10-minute talk about the four presidents, followed by a 20-minute film on the growth of the United States.

At 8:30 pm, the National Anthem plays as the lights turn on the carved granite faces. Veterans and active military members are invited to the stage to help retire the flag in a formal tribute. The ceremony wraps by 9:00 pm, and you'll head back to your hotel, arriving around 9:45 pm. Bring a jacket: the Black Hills cool off once the sun sets, though blankets are provided in the van.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Rapid City.
• 45-minute round-trip drive in an air-conditioned van.
• Mount Rushmore admission.
• a 10-minute ranger talk on the four presidents.
• a 20-minute film on U.S. history.
• reserved seating in the amphitheater.
• bottled water and snacks.
• blankets for the return drive.
• English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 10 Aug 2027

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Affordable Adventures

Is this one for you?The 8:30 pm lighting ceremony is the only time the monument's faces are illuminated, so this evening tour is the only way to see them lit against the night sky. Plan on three hours total from pickup to return.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the drive from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore?

The drive is 45 minutes each way. You'll be picked up from your hotel between 6:30 and 6:45 pm and return around 9:45 pm.

What happens during the 8:30 pm lighting ceremony?

The National Anthem is sung as the lights illuminate the four presidents' faces on the mountain. Veterans and military members are invited to the stage to participate in a flag retirement ceremony.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, admission to Mount Rushmore, bottled water, snacks, and an English-speaking guide are included. The van is air-conditioned for the drive.

What should I bring for the evening?

Bring a jacket because temperatures drop in the Black Hills after sunset. Blankets are available in the van, but layering is recommended for comfort during the outdoor program.