Parking

Parking is readily available in the Memorial's parking facility, operated under a concession contract between the National Park Service and Xanterra Travel Collection. A parking ticket entitles a non-commercial vehicle unlimited entry to the Memorial for one year from the date of purchase. No reservations are needed to visit the Memorial.

Six charging stations for electric vehicles are located on Level Two of the parking facility. A free tire inflation station is available near the exit of Level Four. Limited bicycle lockers are available on Level One; visitors will need to stop at the parking facility entrance gate and inquire with the Xanterra parking attendants for more information about using the lockers.

Overnight parking is not allowed anywhere within the boundaries of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Parking Fees

Parking fees may be paid with cash or most credit cards. For questions concerning parking and parking fees, please call Xanterra Travel Collection at [phone].

• Cars, Motorcycles and RVs

A parking ticket entitles a non-commercial vehicle unlimited entry to the Memorial for one year from the date of purchase.

$10 per vehicle
$5 for Seniors (62 and older)
Free for Active Duty Military

• Commercial Tour Bus

  $50 (valid for 24 hours from time of first entry)

• Nonprofit Educational Bus

  $25 (valid for 24 hours from time of first entry)

The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass, Military Pass - Annual, Military Pass - Lifetime, Senior Pass, Access Pass and Every Kid Outdoors Pass cannot be used for parking fees at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. These passes cover entrance fees but do not cover concession fees such as parking. Mount Rushmore National Memorial does not charge an entrance fee.

 

How to Park

Upon arrival you will be directed to the entrance gates. Lanes One, Two and Three are for non-commercial cars, trucks, and RVs under 29 feet. Lane Four is for buses, large RVs over 29 feet, trailers, and commercial vehicles. Parking for larger vehicles such as RVs and trailers is very limited. During peak summer season it is best to arrive earlier in the day. Overnight parking is not allowed.

If you need access to ADA parking or the drop off zones, please use Lane Four. The attendant in this lane can direct you to those areas.

The majority of visitors, when entering one of the four entrance gates, will be greeted by an entry booth attendant. This is when you pay for parking and the booth attendant will provide you with a paid ticket, allowing free reentry for one year. Once you receive the ticket, no other payments are required.

During extremely busy times, an automated parking system is activated to expedite entry into the Memorial. When this occurs, the entry gates at Lanes One, Two, and Three are lowered and an entry ticket kiosk will generate an unpaid ticket. Drivers pull this ticket from the kiosk to open the entry gate. If you already have a valid, paid parking ticket, follow the directions on the kiosk to scan your ticket and activate the entry gate.

NOTE: During normal parking operating hours, there will always be a booth attendant at Lane Four to collect payment and provide directions to buses, large RVs over 29 feet, trailers, and commercial vehicles.

 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Parking Facility Map (Click on map to view larger image)

ADA Accessible Parking

For more information about ADA accessible parking please visit our Accessibility page.

 

One of the pay-on-foot stations located near the Memorial main entrance stone pergola.

NPS Photo

How to Pay

The majority of visitors will pay for parking at the entry, with the assistance of an entry booth attendant.

During extremely busy times, drivers will be issued an unpaid ticket at the entry by way of a ticket kiosk. After parking, but before exiting your vehicle, make sure to bring your unpaid ticket with you. There are many different locations where you can pay for your parking:

Option 1: Pay-on-foot stations are located:

• On parking levels One, Two, Four and Five near the stairs
• At the Memorial main entrance stone pergola

Option 2: All cashiers in Carvers' Cafe and Gift Shop

Option 3: At the parking facility vehicle exit gates:

• Exit kiosks accept credit cards only
• No senior or active-duty military discounts are offered at exit gates.

 

Parking Facility Exit Station

NPS Photo

How to Exit

• If the exit gate is already open, you may exit the parking facility without inserting your ticket.
• When the exit gate is down, insert your paid ticket into the exit kiosk. To open the gate, pull your ticket out of the kiosk.
• If paying at the exit, the exit gate will open once your payment is processed and you retrieve the ticket from the kiosk.