Mount Rushmore is classic Americana, and will make anyone feel patriotic. While there is really no bad time to visit our founding fathers in South Dakota’s Black Hills, visiting at sunrise is hands down the best. The perks far outweigh the only con (which is having to wake up early). Here are the top 4 reasons to visit Mount Rushmore at Sunrise!
Virtually No People
It’ll come as no surprise when I tell you that you’ll basically have the place to yourself. When I arrived about a half hour before sunrise, I could count the number of cars in the parking lot on one hand. I was able to walk right in, take my time setting up my tripod, and frame the perfect shots. In fact, I don’t believe I saw another person for at least 45 minutes! Aside from not having to talk with other people, I loved getting super clean photos without anyone else in them. It’s an introvert’s paradise!
Golden Hour
I am having trouble articulating just how spectacular sunrise at Mount Rushmore is for photographers! Over the span of an hour, you’ll truly get to watch the monument change right before your eyes. Shadows and colors will evolve constantly, and absolutely nothing beats that golden sunrise glow. It feels like you are getting a completely different picture every five minutes! As you walk the Presidential Trail, you’ll get different angles of the faces that play with the rising sun. Truly spectacular and absolutely makes a 4:30 am alarm worth it!
Free Parking
This is what I call an “unofficial” perk to visiting Mount Rushmore at sunrise. When I did research ahead of time, I learned that admission to the monument is free, but parking is $10 per car. When I arrived, I pulled up to the booths and open gates only to have sign up saying that attendants are on duty starting at 7 am. After my visit as I was leaving (well after 7 am), I expected to have to pay on my way out. Nope. There was nothing- just a one way street out of the parking lot. There’s no high quite like the “I just visited an iconic American monument for free” high.
Maximize Your Day
This may be a given, but visiting Mount Rushmore at sunrise gives you the rest of the day to do – well, whatever you want! No matter the time of year you visit and whenever the official sunrise time may be, you know that you’ll be making the most of your travels. When I visited in September 2020, sunrise was around 6:30 am. By the time I took a billion photos, walked the President’s Trail (and then snapped another million photos), it was about 8:00 am. On any other day, my ass would barely be rolling out of bed at that time. It’s such a great feeling to get up early and be productive. Because of this early visit, I was able to spend the rest of the day exploring all that South Dakota’s Black Hills had to offer!
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