Independence Day at Mount Rushmore

 

Visitors help lift and fold the American flag on Independence Day.

NPS / A. Rimstidt

Mount Rushmore National Memorial will have a robust schedule of special events July 2–4 to commemorate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

July 2 and July 4: No reservations or tickets are required.

July 3: Tickets are required. A public lottery for tickets was held in early April. Visit the Travel South Dakota website for more information regarding watch parties, livestreaming, and broadcast viewing opportunities.

All times listed are in mountain time.

July 2 Events

No reservations are needed for July 2 activities.

5 am

• Memorial grounds open

9 am–5 pm

• Studio talk: Learn about the carving process – Sculptor's Studio
  • Starts hourly on the hour
  • 15-minute program

10:30 am–4:30 pm

• Ranger talk: Various topics – Begins on the Grand View Terrace
  • Starts on the half hour hourly
  • 30-minute program

7 pm

• United States Air Force Academy Band – Amphitheater

9 pm

• Traditional Evening Program – Amphitheater

11 pm

• Memorial boundaries close to visitation

July 3 Events

See information for ticket holders below.

July 4 Events

No reservations are needed for July 4 activities.

5 am

• Memorial grounds open

9 am

• Jasmine Bell and Family Hoop Dancing – Grand View Terrace
• Sequoia Crosswhite: Lakota Storytelling – Theater B
• Presidential Reenactors News Conference – Carvers’ Café

10:15 am

• Sequoia Crosswhite – Heritage Village
• Thomas Jefferson: Flag Folding – Grand View Terrace
• Abraham Lincoln: Presentation – Theater B
• Theodore Roosevelt: Autographs – Visitor Center

11:30 am

• Sequoia Crosswhite – Heritage Village
• George Washington: Autographs – Visitor Center
• Theodore Roosevelt: Presentation – Theater B

12:45 pm

• Sequoia Crosswhite – Heritage Village
• George Washington: Presentation – Theater B
• Thomas Jefferson: Autographs – Visitor Center

2 pm

• Sequoia Crosswhite – Heritage Village
• Thomas Jefferson: Presentation – Theater B
• Abraham Lincoln: Autographs – Visitor Center

7 pm

• United States Air Force Academy Band – Amphitheater

9 pm

• Traditional Evening Program – Amphitheater

11 pm

• Memorial grounds close

 

Information for July 3 Fireworks Ticket Holders

Tickets are required for the July 3 events. A public lottery for tickets was held in early April. The memorial will open for ticketed participants only at 1 pm with events taking place from approximately 4–10 pm.

Are the tickets reserved seating?

Seating will be available first-come, first-served within the developed area of the memorial. Please note that having a ticket does not guarantee viewing the event in-person. For safety needs, some visitors may watch the event via a live feed on a large screen away from the main stage.

Ticket holders can enter the park beginning at 1 pm. The special events are currently scheduled to begin at 4 pm and conclude around 10 pm.

Is parking available?

Each ticket, for a group of up to four people, will include one parking space within the memorial or shuttle access to the event from Rapid City. Tickets were assigned at random with either parking garage or shuttle options.

How late can I arrive?

Ticket holders driving to the event should arrive as early as possible but no later than 7 pm to allow adequate time to pass through the security screening.

How do I get to the shuttle location?

Shuttle ticket recipients have received an email with detailed instructions.

Are there prohibited items?

Please view the awarded ticket for a list of prohibited items.

Will charging stations or outlets be available for my devices?

There are no public charging stations nor outlets for charging of devices. Please plan accordingly.

Is there a rain date for the fireworks display?

No.

Is there another place to view the programming at the event if I don’t have a ticket?

We recommend visiting the Travel South Dakota website for more information regarding watch parties, livestreaming, and broadcast viewing opportunities.

How is the park addressing concerns about fire risk, wildlife, water, and other environmental impacts related to the July 3 fireworks event?

The National Park Service is working with fire specialists, other subject matter experts and partner agencies to ensure a safe event for visitors, resources, and staff. For more information, visit the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website.

My family has more than four people. How can I get more tickets?

All tickets for the event were distributed through the Recreation.gov lottery which closed on April 12. Recipients were emailed and notified via their Recreation.gov app. Only children two-years old and under may enter without a ticket accompanying a ticket holder. No additional tickets are available.

What if I’m only bringing one other person?

You may attend with fewer people than the maximum allowed on your ticket; however, unused spots cannot be reassigned to someone else.

My ticket recipient can’t come; how can I go instead?

The original lottery recipient must attend. Tickets are non-transferrable. Event logistics and entry instructions are provided in the recipient’s ticket e-mail.