Mount Rushmore National Memorial

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

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10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

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10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

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10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/30/2026

As summer draws to a close, we invite you to join us for the final evening program of the year at the Mount Rushmore amphitheater. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a meaningful night beneath the sculpture as we wrap up the season.

Beginning October 1, the Visitor Center and Information Center will be open from 8 am to 6 pm. The Sculptor’s Studio has closed for the season. If you are planning a visit, please take a moment to review our updated hours so you can make the most of your time at the memorial.

09/23/2026

Don't miss out!

We only have one more week of evening programs at Mount Rushmore. On September 30th, one of our rangers will present the last evening program of the year.
The evening program begins at 8 pm and includes a park film, sculpture illumination, and retreat of the colors. Join us for the last few 2026 evening programs!

NPS Photo/ A. Rimstidt

08/30/2026

The Junior Ranger Program is fun for all ages. Whether you are a Junior Ranger Trainee (ages 4 and under), a Junior Ranger (ager 5-12) or a Rushmore Ranger (ages 13 and up), you are guaranteed to have a blast! Through the activities you will be learning all about the history of Mount Rushmore as well as the nature surrounding you in the Black Hills.

If you get stuck, just ask a park ranger for help. At the end of all your hard work you will get a cool badge to show off and brag about to your friends and family at home while teaching them all the fun things you learned on your trip!

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08/28/2026

Mount Rushmore offers an opportunity to reflect on how the ideas of freedom and national identity have evolved throughout our history.
The four presidential figures carved into the mountain represent distinct moments in the development of the United States. George Washington helped establish the nation’s foundational principles. Thomas Jefferson supported its growth through the Louisiana Purchase. Abraham Lincoln worked to preserve the Union during the Civil War. Theodore Roosevelt advanced the country’s progress through initiatives such as negotiating the Panama Canal treaty.

Each leader contributed in different ways to shaping the nation and its ongoing pursuit of freedom.

How do these moments in our nation’s history shape your own understanding of freedom today?

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08/27/2026

Fire management, carried out in coordination with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, plays an essential role in protecting the 433 National Park Service sites nationwide by reducing fire risk and responding when wildfires occur. This work is particularly important at Mount Rushmore, where much of the surrounding landscape is characterized by ponderosa pine forests.

With support from local firefighting agencies and teams from across the country, Mount Rushmore remains a place where visitors can experience both the sculpture and the natural scenery of the Black Hills.

Today, we recognize and honor the firefighters who help safeguard Mount Rushmore and all public lands. Their continued dedication is vital to the protection of these resources and the visitors who enjoy them.

Thank you to all firefighters for your service.

Caption: Firefighters work on a prescribed burn at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in October 2025.

NPS Photo/ A. Rimstidt

08/26/2026

Of the approximately 2.5 million visitors who come to Mount Rushmore National Memorial each year, the only ones able to move freely across the sculpture, including the carved faces, are the mountain goats.

Mountain goats can navigate the steep rock surfaces of Rushmore thanks to the structure of their hooves, which provide stability on sharp angles. Their hoof pads increase traction, and their cloven hooves help distribute their grip across uneven rock. They also have dewclaws on the back of their feet that help prevent slipping when climbing slopes reaching about 60 degrees.

Spotting mountain goats at Mount Rushmore or elsewhere in the Black Hills is relatively uncommon. The current population traces back to six goats that escaped from the Custer State Park Zoo in the 1920s. After moving into the Black Elk Peak area, their numbers gradually increased. There is now a healthy population in Spearfish Canyon as well.

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08/25/2026

The National Park Service celebrates its 110th anniversary today!

Thanks to the foresight of leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, the United States now protects a wide range of national parks, monuments, and memorials for the public to enjoy. As you explore Mount Rushmore or any public land, this anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of conserving natural and cultural resources so that you and your family can continue to experience them for generations to come.

NPS Photo/ A. Rimstidt

08/24/2026

A lot of movement was involved in bringing the sculptor’s vision to life at Mount Rushmore. For this America in Motion Monday, we are taking a closer look at the tram system that helped keep the carving going.

About halfway through the project, a tram line was installed that stretched from the top of Roosevelt’s head to a landing platform near the Sculptor’s Studio. The concrete platform is still visible today. The tram made it much easier and safer to move tools and supplies to the top of the mountain.

Workers were allowed to ride the tram, but most chose to take the stairs because it was a faster way to get on and off the mountain.

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08/23/2026

Across the country, large-scale construction efforts often involve significant risks, and fatalities are not uncommon. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, however, is notable for its remarkably safe record.

From the start of carving on October 4th, 1927, to the end of the project on October 31st, 1941, none of the over 400 workers died during Mount Rushmore's carving process. This is especially impressive when you consider that about 90% of the estimated 450,000 tons of granite rubble sitting below the sculpture was removed with dynamite. In order to safely use the dynamite, workers would cut the dynamite to specific lengths, earning them the title of "powder men," and set the sticks in a detonator with copper caps and wires to allow for detonation from a safe distance. After setting the explosives, crews were lifted in bosun chairs by a winch to avoid exposure during detonation. Additional safety was provided by “call boys,” who relayed messages between the workers on the mountain face and the winch operators, helping coordinate movements and reduce risk.

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08/22/2026

Come one, come all to Celebrate America’s Story during our 2026 National Park Week!

While Mount Rushmore may not have entered the United States' 250-year-old narrative until March 3 of 1925, it has certainly played an important role in immortalizing the figures that best represent America’s first 150 years. With George Washington we have our foundation, Thomas Jefferson gave us expansion, Abraham Lincoln preserved our nation, and Theodore Roosevelt helped to push our development. Without these presidents, our nation would not be the one we know of today, and Mount Rushmore is the perfect place to learn about and remember their stories.

Swing on by Mount Rushmore National Memorial or any of our many beloved National Park sites this week to join us in celebrating the National Park Service's 110th birthday.

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