The Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore
The Presidential Trail is 0.6 miles long and has 422 stairs. The trail goes right under Mount Rushmore and gets you a lot closer than just staying at the visitor’s center. The trail is open only when weather permits and is usually closed in the winter. I highly recommend taking this trail if you can. There are also informative displays along the way and you get several different views of the monument. To hike this trail you need to pay a parking fee at Mount Rushmore monument when you enter the park.
On this trail I recommend you take the trail starting at the west and then go east. The trail starts out smooth and there is less stairs and incline. Starting the trail from the east, you hit most of the stairs going up and it is a lot harder.
Pretty trail through the trees.
The start of the Presidential Trail from the West.
Looking through a cool hole.
Opposite of the Visitor’s Center.
More stairs to climb.
More steps.
Peak a boo…..
Sculptor’s studio.
Abraham Lincoln display.
Pretty views.
Up close and personal.
George Washington display.
Lots of benches to sit and relax.
Theodore Roosevelt’s display.
The last of the steps on the East side of the trail.
Hike the trail from the west to the east and avoid walking up all these stairs.