Visiting Mount Rushmore: An Iconic American Landmark

Like the Grand Canyon and Statue of Liberty, the famous faces of Mount Rushmore are a well-recognized icon of the United States, and a destination worth being on every RV bucket list.

Set in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the landmark draws in millions of visitors every year with its finely detailed sculptures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved onto the edge of a massive granite batholith.

Dean Franklin/Wikipedia

The four presidents carved into the monument were chosen specifically because they each played a key role in United States history.

• George Washington, because he was our original founding father, our very first president of the country.
• Thomas Jefferson, our third president, served as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
• Theodore Roosevelt contributed greatly towards growing our economy and developing International Affairs, and
• Abraham Lincoln worked hard to preserve the nation during the brutal Civil War.

Dynamite was mostly used to carve the presidents’ faces. It took 14 years to complete, with a total cost of just less than a million dollars (in 1920s money).

Full-time RVers Spot The Scotts on Youtube made it out to the national monument and shared this charming montage to give us a first-hand look at one of our country’s most iconic destinations. Their family adventure starts out on the road, where you can see the four faces just ahead in the distance.

They take us past the entrance, in front of the landmark itself, and to the site’s “Avenue of Flags”, which represents the 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Check it out!

For more information on planning your next trip to Mount Rushmore, take a look at the National Park Service’s website.

Have you been to this iconic monument before? Or would you love to go someday? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

SEE ALSO:  Top Attractions In The Black Hills (Besides Mount Rushmore)

About Nikki Cleveland

Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.