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Caravan Mount Rushmore Monument Tour
Travel with Caravan Tours and enjoy a guided Mount Rushmore Monument tour as part of our Rushmore & Yellowstone National Park tour.
Travel from Rapid City South Dakota to see the Mount Rushmore presidents and explore the living history of America carved in the mountainside.
To Book a Mount Rushmore Monument Tour
Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826)
Mount Rushmore National Park & Monument
Located just 23 miles from Rapid City in the majestic beauty of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore has been called America’s “Shrine of Democracy.” It was created to represent the first 150 years of American history.
Mount Rushmore is a symbol of freedom and democracy and a hope for all people of all cultures.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum labored with a team of 400 workers from 1927 until his death in 1941. Their objective was to carve from the granite face of Mount Rushmore the 60-foot busts of four exalted American presidents.
Mount Rushmore Presidents
Many people wonder, Why these four presidents on Mount Rushmore? Mount Rushmore Monument memorializes the birth, growth, preservation, and development of the United States of America and includes:
George Washington - Is the US president who “Represents the struggle for America’s independence.”
Thomas Jefferson - Is the US president who “Symbolizes the idea of government by the people.”
Abraham Lincoln - Is the US president who “Extolls the virtues of equality and the permanent union of the states.”
Theodore Roosevelt - Is the US president who “Epitomizes the role of the United States in world affairs during the 20th century.”
Mount Rushmore History
The rock sculptures of America’s four great presidents were never completed in detail down to the waist as Borglum had initially conceived it, and most likely they will remain uncompleted.
Borglum chose the location of Mount Rushmore Monument because of the quality of the granite and because the rock face catches the sun for the greatest part of the day.
Of the 14 years it took to complete Mount Rushmore, the actual carving took only 6.5 years. The remaining time was lost due to weather delays or lack of funding.
Gutzon Borglum stated, “A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated…[and] shall endure until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away.”
Fun Facts About Mount Rushmore
Before you enjoy your Caravan Mount Rushmore Monument tour, here are some fun facts you should know.
- Mount Rushmore presidents include the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln & Roosevelt.
- The president’s faces are 60 feet tall and located 500 feet up the mountain.
- Mount Rushmore National Park is 5,725 feet above sea level.
- The faces on Mt Rushmore cost less than $1 million to create (Approx. $16+ million in today’s dollars).
- Mount Rushmore recently underwent 10 years of restoration & development of new visitor facilities.
- A new walking trail provides spectacular close-up views of Mount Rushmore presidents.
- The site includes Gutzon Borglum’s Sculptor’s Studio displaying plaster models and tools.
- The Lincoln Borglum Museum opened in 1998 after a $56 million redevelopment.
Historical Sights Also Visited on this Caravan Tour
Along with our Mount Rushmore Monument tour, you will get to visit some of America’s grandest and most historically significant tourist attractions. Visit the site of Custer’s Last Stand at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, plus Mammoth Hot Springs in Wyoming.
See our blog article for more information about the Little Bighorn Battlefield.
Caravan’s Mount Rushmore tour package also includes:
- Little Bighorn Monument Tour (site of Custer’s Last Stand)
- Chief Crazy Horse Monument Tour
- Yellowstone National Park Tour
- Grand Teton Tour
About Caravan Tours
Since 1952, family-owned and operated Caravan Tours has delivered an unrivaled standard of excellence for fully escorted Affordable Tours.
Celebrating 70 years in 2022, we now offer affordable, fully escorted tours throughout North and Central America including Canada, Panama, Guatemala, and Costa Rica!
For more information about our Mount Rushmore Monument tour or about any destination on our Rushmore & Yellowstone tour, please contact us.
Call us toll-free at 1-800-Caravan (227-2826)
- Read Caravan’s Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone tour Reviews
2024 Hotels
2024 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2, 3 • Rapid City, South Dakota
Rushmore Hotel
The Rushmore Hotel is located in the heart of Rapid City. The lobby has a marble floor design intricately pieced together with 75 different exotic stones from all over the world. All guest rooms at the Rushmore Hotel have coffee makers and high speed internet. All rooms are non-smoking. In Rapid City, “The City of Presidents,” there are now 43 life size bronze statues of former U.S. presidents on city street corners. A statue of President John F. Kennedy and his son, John F. Kennedy, Jr. stands outside the hotel.
Please note: The tours that start on July 10 and August 15 will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown. The tours that start on June 20, August 29 and 31, and September 4, 6 and 12 will stay at the Courtyard Rapid City.
Day 4 • Billings, Montana
Hilton Garden Inn
Billings, Montana's largest city, is located in the south-central portion of the state. The Hilton Garden Inn is a modern mid-rise hotel located in the newer retail area of Billings, approximately 1/4 mile from Rimrock Mall. Each of the rooms has complimentary wired and wireless internet access, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, iron & ironing board, and hairdryer. All rooms are non-smoking. The Hilton Garden Inn's fitness center includes a heated indoor pool and whirlpool. The hotel has a restaurant and lobby bar and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.
Day 5 • West Yellowstone, Montana
Gray Wolf Inn
Located two blocks from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the indoor pool, hot tub and gym. Rooms include a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, 49-inch flat-screen satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, telephone and alarm clock, heating and air conditioning. Special amenities include S’mores kits, use of hiking sticks and binoculars and lawn games.
Kelly Inn
Your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the heated indoor pool and hot tub, large outdoor patio with gas fire pit, picnic tables with charcoal grill. Complimentary 24 hour coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available in the lobby. First and second floor guest laundry. Free high speed wireless internet throughout the hotel. Room amenities include Direct TV, free local calls, coffee maker, microwave, mini refrigerator, alarm clock, extra USB charge ports in every room, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, individual heat and AC units, 100% non-smoking rooms.
West Gate Hotel
Conveniently located for walking to downtown restaurants and shops. Indoor heated pool and spa, guest laundry, business center, heating and air conditioning. Rooms include flat-screen TVs with Direct TV satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, air conditioning and heating, alarm clock, desk, iron and ironing board, radio, sitting area, telephone.
Days 6, 7 • Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Jackson Lake Lodge
Your National Park Service lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, is a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. The lobby has huge panoramic windows with views overlooking the snow capped Grand Tetons. Enjoy the outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis court. There are no televisions or air conditioning in the rooms. The lodge offers recreational activities for purchase, including horseback riding, boat rides, golf and lake and river fishing. Dining facilities include the elegant Mural Room, the casual Pioneer Grill and the Blue Heron, a scenic cocktail lounge with outdoor seating overlooking the Tetons. The lodge has a gift shop and a medical clinic. Room amenities include WiFi Access. Your cottage room is separate from the Main Lodge and is nestled in the pine trees. Your cottage includes a private bathroom, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, mini refrigerator and telephone.
Day 8 • Salt Lake City, Utah
The Hilton
The Hilton Salt Lake City is located in the heart of Salt Lake City, two blocks from Temple Square and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The rooms have all the modern amenities, including television, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, phone, voice mail, data port. All rooms are non-smoking.
Please note: All tours will stay at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel, except for the tours that start on May 29, May 31, June 18 and July 2. These four tours will stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.
Movies
Movies
Crazy Horse02:53- Yellowstone Park03:45
- American West02:36
- A Volcanic Land04:59
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
arrival Transfers
Caravan’s Rapid City, South Dakota hotel, the Rushmore Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle from the Rapid City Airport (RAP). Upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Rushmore Hotel at 605-348-8300. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 am to 10 pm.
Exception hotels: The tours beginning on July 10 and August 15 will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown. For these two tour dates at the Holiday Inn, please request your shuttle by calling the Holiday Inn at 605-348-4000 upon arrival. The shuttle for the Holiday Inn operates daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
The tours beginning on June 20, August 29 and 31, and September 4, 6 and 12 will stay at the Courtyard Rapid City. For these tour dates, please call the Airport Express Shuttle when you arrive at 605-399-9999 to advise that you are with Caravan Tours and that you just landed. After you have retrieved your luggage, walk outside to the transportation island and your driver will meet you there.
departure Transfers
Caravan provides departure transfers from both the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City, Utah to the Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). Taxis cost approximately $25.00 to $35.00. Please allow 20 minutes for the drive.
Please note: All tours will stay at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel, except for the tours that start on May 29, May 31, June 18 and July 2. These four tours will stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
Non U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements. See Travel Tips for more details.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Rapid City | Billings | Yellowstone | Grand Teton National Park | Salt Lake City | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 34/11 | 0.4 | 38/21 | 0.1 | 28/9 | 1.1 | 25/6 | 0.3 | 36/19 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 38/15 | 0.5 | 43/24 | 0.1 | 34/13 | 0.75 | 30/9 | 0.4 | 44/27 | 1.2 |
| Mar | 46/22 | 1.0 | 52/31 | 0.4 | 39/17 | 1.1 | 39/18 | 0.6 | 52/31 | 1.9 |
| Apr | 58/32 | 1.9 | 61/38 | 1.0 | 49/26 | 1.2 | 49/26 | 1.1 | 61/38 | 2.1 |
| May | 68/42 | 2.7 | 70/47 | 1.9 | 70/34 | 2.0 | 60/34 | 1.8 | 72/46 | 1.8 |
| Jun | 78/51 | 3.0 | 80/55 | 1.6 | 79/46 | 1.5 | 70/40 | 1.3 | 83/55 | 0.9 |
| Jul | 86/58 | 2.0 | 89/62 | 0.8 | 78/45 | 1.5 | 79/44 | 0.8 | 92/63 | 0.8 |
| Aug | 85/56 | 1.7 | 87/60 | 0.7 | 68/37 | 1.4 | 77/42 | 0.8 | 89/62 | 0.9 |
| Sep | 74/46 | 1.2 | 76/51 | 0.9 | 55/29 | 1.3 | 68/35 | 1.1 | 79/51 | 1.3 |
| Oct | 63/35 | 1.1 | 62/41 | 0.8 | 38/19 | 1.0 | 54/27 | 1.1 | 66/40 | 1.4 |
| Nov | 47/23 | 0.6 | 47/30 | 0.2 | 30/12 | 1.0 | 37/18 | 0.8 | 51/31 | 1.3 |
| Dec | 36/13 | 0.5 | 37/22 | 0.1 | 53/27 | 1.0 | 26/8 | 0.5 | 38/22 | 1.4 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 34/11 | 38/15 | 46/22 | 58/32 | 68/42 | 78/51 | 86/58 | 85/56 | 74/46 | 63/35 | 47/23 | 36/13 |
| rainfall | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Billings | ||||||||||||
| temp | 38/21 | 43/24 | 52/31 | 61/38 | 70/47 | 80/55 | 89/62 | 87/60 | 76/51 | 62/41 | 47/30 | 37/22 |
| rainfall | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Yellowstone | ||||||||||||
| temp | 28/9 | 34/13 | 39/17 | 49/26 | 70/34 | 79/46 | 78/45 | 68/37 | 55/29 | 38/19 | 30/12 | 53/27 |
| rainfall | 1.1 | 0.75 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Grand Teton National Park | ||||||||||||
| temp | 25/6 | 30/9 | 39/18 | 49/26 | 60/34 | 70/40 | 79/44 | 77/42 | 68/35 | 54/27 | 37/18 | 26/8 |
| rainfall | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Salt Lake City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 36/19 | 44/27 | 52/31 | 61/38 | 72/46 | 83/55 | 92/63 | 89/62 | 79/51 | 66/40 | 51/31 | 38/22 |
| rainfall | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are never required. See Travel Tips for more details.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 13 Travel Tips. Read all 50 Travel Tips Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Meals included in the land price are indicated at the beginning of each day by B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner). Dinner, when included, is served at your hotel except when, as indicated in the itinerary, it is at a special restaurant outside the hotel. Coffee or tea is provided at all included meals. Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old. Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. Virtually everything! Hotels, many meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers in select cities, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Children age five (5) and older are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation. Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers. A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129.Are meals included?
Meals
Children on Tour
Family Trips
My Tour Price Does Not Include
My Tour Price Includes
Age of Travelers on a Caravan Tour
Forms of Payment
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Size of Tour Group
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
Please note: These reviews are from previous years. Hotels and activities may have changed.
These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 147 Customer Reviews "Beyond description, and I’m an English teacher! We chose Caravan for our 50th anniversary celebration and could not have been more pleased. Incredible offerings and accommodations made for personal needs at each stop. Loved the sights and photo ops, a totally comfortable amount. Loved that we could watch beautiful and informative films if we so chose. Never felt tired, and we loved the mini-hikes. Our TD was truly extraordinary, the ✭ director of the year, and all museum guides and assistants were inspirational. We may consider another tour in the future (this was our first), it was such a positive experience." "Looking for a carefree vacation? Caravan takes care of everything. Logistics, including airport and baggage transfers, hotels, sightseeing and activities, and reservations for all the events. Long coach rides can be quite boring, right? Not so if you were fortunate enough to have booked the Caravan Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Grand Tetons tour in August this year. Our awesome driver guided us as we traversed 1250 miles of spectacular scenery for six days. Mother nature treated us to thrilling views; geysers, hot springs, abundant lodgepole pine trees, lakes, rivers and wildlife. Bring your camera so you can capture the significant milestones and awesome sights along the way. We were on watch for waterfowl, beaver, osprey, eagles, and big game elk, bison, and deer. The Grand Tetons provide a fantastic backdrop as you take it all in. And don’t worry if you slept through geography and social studies class in high school. Enter our director, a great storyteller with colorful speech and quick wit. Never dull, the daily excursions traveling through the west all rolled up into one incredible trip." "When I’m ready for another guided tour, Caravan would be a top choice. I was totally impressed with how organized everything was. So many great activities and sights: the hikes around the hot springs. Our tour director made the trip so fun, and our driver was excellent, always smiling, helpful and welcoming us aboard. Lots of rest and photo stops made our vacation enjoyable." "Outstanding. I cannot emphasize enough how pleased we were to go on our 2nd trip with Caravan. This was equally, if not better, than our last trip to Yosemite. We had a great time, felt safe, and couldn’t have seen as much or learned as much if we went at it alone. We cannot say enough good things about your staff and our experience. They aced it. Our TD was an excellent animator and director delivering on what was promised and more. We enjoyed all the sights and guided tours, very well chosen. Relaxing, scenic and very memorable, we’d recommend it to anyone." "This is my third Caravan tour and by far the best. I have highly recommended you to many people and show them your brochure. I was very happy with the provided activities and sights and especially liked our director’s narration about what we were seeing as it greatly enhanced our experience. I never had and probably never will have a finer tour director." "I am very happy that I took this tour through history, and happy with all we were able to see and do. We have a beautiful country right here and to be able to finally visit things and learn about them was an amazing experience. So many breathtaking moments along with a narrative by a professional; again, amazing. Even during longer drives, our director kept us informed about where we were and any important history that tied our tour together. He was an excellent tour director. Entertaining, he held my attention and his time management was impeccable. I was impressed with his concern for us and his preparedness; he was a pleasure to travel with for the seven days. Thank you." "Excellent trip in all aspects and a great value! Caravan took good care of me from the airport arrival to the airport departure. Yellowstone and Grand Tetons were beautiful. Loved the geysers and thermal activity, canyons, waterfalls, mountains and wildlife. Will certainly consider booking another Caravan adventure in the future."
Read All 147 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 147 Customer Reviews
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).
