Mount Rushmore Tour Part 3:
The Closest Views on the Presidential Trail
Why the Presidential Trail Is So Special
The Presidential Trail is one of the most peaceful, underrated ways to explore Mount Rushmore. Winding through towering pine trees in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the path lets you:
- Stretch your legs after the viewing terrace
- Breathe in that crisp mountain air
- Discover hidden viewpoints
- Get closer to the sculpture than the visitor center ever allows
It’s beautifully maintained and surprisingly calming considering you’re standing beneath one of the most famous monuments in the United States.
📸 Photo tip: Look for angles where the presidents peek through the trees — those make for some of the most dramatic Mount Rushmore shots.
Fun Facts That Make This Trail Even Cooler
- Because no great travel blog post is complete without a few jaw‑dropping stats:
- Each presidential face is about 60 feet tall — roughly the height of a six‑story building.
- The Presidential Trail runs beneath the sculpture and includes stairways and boardwalks built into the granite.
- Mount Rushmore was carved between 1927 and 1941 using dynamite and hand drilling.
- Over 400 workers helped create the monument — and remarkably, there were no recorded fatalities during construction.
Standing on this trail really puts the scale of the monument into perspective.
My Personal South Dakota Connection
If you’re new here — hi! I’m Siva McAteer, a travel blogger and travel agent now based in Fort Myers, Florida.
But fun fact… I actually lived in South Dakota for 18 years.
After the Vietnam War, when I was just one year old, my family was flown to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where our sponsors lived. That city became home until I headed off to college in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
And it always makes me smile — when you tell people you’re from South Dakota, the first thing they think of is Mount Rushmore. But Sioux Falls is actually over five and a half hours away from the monument!
Still, South Dakota — especially the Black Hills region — will always hold a special place in my heart.
Why This Stop Belongs on Your Mount Rushmore Itinerary
Walking the Presidential Trail transforms Mount Rushmore from a quick roadside attraction into a full‑on experience. You slow down, learn the stories, and connect with the landscape in a totally different way.
This is exactly the kind of travel I love helping people plan — trips that feel meaningful, memorable, and stress‑free.
👉 Follow along for Part 4, where we head inside the fascinating Sculptor’s Studio, and I discover a new hobby that totally inspired me to explore even more of America the Beautiful.
And when you’re ready to turn those travel dreams into real‑life adventures…
✨ Let me plan your next trip. You explore — I’ll handle the details. ✨
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