Black Forest Inn Bed & Breakfast

08/31/2026

Love these evening views at Pactola💙

08/28/2026

The Buffalo Roundup is quickly approaching the end of September. Below is some information to help make the most of your time during your visit!

08/25/2026

Some of our daily visitors just hanging out on the front lawn 🦃

08/11/2026

A little reminder that beauty often follows the storm 🩷🌈💙

Photo credit to our guest, Karen🙌

07/04/2026

Happy 4th everyone!! What a spectacular kickoff to the 250th celebration!! ♥️🇺🇸💙

07/01/2026

As Mount Rushmore joins other National Park Service sites to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, visitors are encouraged to check the park website for the most up to date information about schedules, event details, road closures, and conditions before arriving.

July 2
The Memorial is open regular hours with ranger talks and cultural demonstrations scheduled throughout the day.

July 3
The Memorial opens for the fireworks event at 1 p.m. for ticketed visitors only. While additional tickets are no longer available, Travel South Dakota has several options to watch from home or at local watch parties.

July 4
The Memorial is open regular hours with special Independence Day programming throughout the day which includes ranger programs, cultural demonstrations, and presidential reenactors. The United States Air Force Academy Band is also scheduled to perform in the evening.

For July 2, 3, and 4 schedules:
https://www.nps.gov/moru/planyourvisit/independence-day-events.htm

Travel South Dakota:
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/mount-rushmore-fireworks



NPS photo/ E. Strom

06/28/2026

Current patio views, such a beautiful evening!!

06/18/2026

If you're looking for a spectator view at the end of your hike, it's hard to beat this one! It's a beautiful drive, less than 45 minutes from where we are located.

One of the most spectacular viewpoints in South Dakota is Black Elk Peak, a mountain summit that rises high above the Black Hills and offers some of the most expansive views in the American Midwest. Standing 7,242 feet above sea level, Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota and the highest summit east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The hike to the top winds through pine forests, past massive granite formations, and across open ridges where the scenery becomes more impressive with every step. At the summit, visitors are greeted by a historic stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a rugged structure that makes the mountaintop feel even more dramatic. Climbing the stone steps reveals sweeping panoramic views stretching across the Black Hills and far beyond. On exceptionally clear days, it is possible to see into Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana from the summit. The tower served as a fire lookout until 1967 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Combining fascinating history, beautiful hiking, and one of the finest views in the region, Black Elk Peak is a destination that truly rewards the journey to reach it.

05/27/2026

Hard to beat ending a beautiful, summer day out here on the patio!!

05/23/2026

🎉 Today is the day! 🎉
Our summer hours begin today, and we’re excited to welcome you for a full day of programming at the Memorial.
🌞 New Building Hours:
Visitor Center and Information Center 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🌄 Daily Programming:
• Indigenous Hoop Dancing begins every day at 9:00 AM on the Grand View Terrace
• Sculptor’s Studio is now open 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Heritage Village is open daily Tuesday-Thursday
🌙 Evening Program & Lighting Ceremony - Begins at 9:00 PM nightly:
Join us tonight for the season’s first evening lighting ceremony, which includes:
• A short welcome and introduction
• The premiere of our new 20‑minute film, “Voices of America”
• A tribute honoring our veterans while the American flag is retired for the evening

Come be part of this special opening night and experience the Memorial in a whole new light.



NPS Photo/ A. Rimstidt