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Elevation: 5,725 ft
GPS: 43.8813, -103.4624
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,122,574 total · 5,642/month
Shared By: Andy Busse on Nov 14, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty
Warning Access Issue: Check NPS for Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial climbing offers amazing pegmatite granite climbing that ranges from 10' boulders to over 600' traditional routes all with great access. The area has climbing on every aspect, allowing the season to run from spring to fall with an occasional winter day (South Dakota weather depending). Rock quality is generally very good, as is most protection.

Guidebooks: 

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Climbers Guide by Vernon R. Phinney (Out Of Print)

The Needles Of Rushmore by Andrew Busse and Andrew Burr 2012 is the best and newest guide to the area (Out Of Print)

Free Camping: Wrinkled Rock

Main Hub: Rapid City

Getting There Suggest change

From: Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Entrance stoplight.
Head west on SD-244 Peter Norbeck Scenic Hwy, away from Keystone for approx 1.1 mi. There will be a shoulder pull-off on the right hand side of the road. This is the Emancipation/ Inner Marker Parking Area.

Marker/Monster Parking Area, continue up the road approx (350') to approx the 1.2 mile mark from the entrance, to another shoulder pull-off on the left side of the road. There is a climbers sign-in kiosk at the entrance.

South Seas/Chopping Block Paved Parking Lot is approx (.4 mi) further up the road at approx the 1.6 mile mark from the entrance located adjacent to the Mt Rushmore Memorial Sign. There are climber sign-in kiosks on both sides of the road. SS is on the NE side of the road and Chopping Block is on the SW side of the road.

Wrinkled Rock Free Campground is another (.1 mi) up the road on the right at approx the 1.7 mile mark from the entrance, designated with a sign.

Breezy Point, continue up 244 an additional (.2 mi); it is on the right and also signed, it is located at approx the 1.9 mile mark from the entrance light.

Web Link to Google Map:
maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa…

930 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V6 7A
 45
Orange Roughy
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 270
Second Hand Rose Arete
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 109
Weird Water
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 242
Gossamer
Trad, Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 302
Waves
Sport 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 158
Star Dancer
Sport, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 202
Garfield Goes To Washington
Trad 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 157
Pointy Little Devil
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 115
Valdez Overhang
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 84
Lead Fillings
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 101
Evergreen
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 157
Baba Cool
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 59
W.A.S.P. (center variation start)
Trad, Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 84
The Pollinator
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 90
Mr. Critical
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Orange Roughy Mt Baldy > Old Baldy Front… > Orange Roughy Boulder
 45
V6 7A Boulder
Second Hand Rose Arete S Seas > Hornets Nest
 270
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Weird Water Magna Carta > Marker > Middle Marker Area
 109
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Gossamer Magna Carta > Monster North > Picture Window
 242
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Sport
Waves S Seas > Shipyard Rock
 302
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
Star Dancer Magna Carta > Marker > Middle Marker Area
 158
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
Garfield Goes To Washington Emancipation > White House Wall
 202
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
Pointy Little Devil Magna Carta > Monster North > Shakers
 157
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Valdez Overhang Chopping Block > Birthday Rock
 115
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Lead Fillings S Seas > Child's Molar
 84
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Evergreen Chopping Block > Pine Tree Rock
 101
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Baba Cool Chopping Block > Chopping Block
 157
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
W.A.S.P. (center variation… S Seas > Hornets Nest
 59
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad, Sport
The Pollinator S Seas > Hornets Nest
 84
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Mr. Critical S Seas > Hornets Nest
 90
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Mount Rushmore National Memorial »

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