
Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour worth booking?
Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour is a 3-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (15)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $100 per person
We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 6:30-6:45 pm in 7 or 12 passenger van depending on if we have others going. It is a 45 minute drive to Mt Rushmore. You would have half an hour to get to the amphitheater to get a seat for the program that starts at 8:00 pm. There is a 10 minute Ranger Talk about some topic about the 4 presidents. After the talk is a 20 minute video about the growth of the country in relation to the 4 presidents. At 8:30 pm, the Star Spangled Banner is sung and the lights go on the faces. Veterans and military are invited to the stage to help retire the flag and be honored. It is about a 45 minute program. We do have blankets for you in your vans if it is a chilly night. But, plan on bringing a jacket as it cools off once the sun goes down. We would get you back to Rapid City around 9:45 pm.
What you get
About this experience
We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 6:30-6:45 pm in 7 or 12 passenger van depending on if we have others going. It is a 45 minute drive to Mt Rushmore. You would have half an hour to get to the amphitheater to get a seat for the program that starts at 8:00 pm. There is a 10 minute Ranger Talk about some topic about the 4 presidents. After the talk is a 20 minute video about the growth of the country in relation to the 4 presidents. At 8:30 pm, the Star Spangled Banner is sung and the lights go on the faces. Veterans and military are invited to the stage to help retire the flag and be honored. It is about a 45 minute program. We do have blankets for you in your vans if it is a chilly night. But, plan on bringing a jacket as it cools off once the sun goes down. We would get you back to Rapid City around 9:45 pm.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Admission fees
- Snacks
- English Speaking Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Meals
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The evening begins with a scenic 45-minute drive from Rapid City, arriving at Mount Rushmore by 7:30 PM to allow ample time for you to secure a seat in the amphitheater before the 8:00 PM start. The formal program opens with an insightful 10-minute Ranger Talk focusing on the history or characteristics of the four presidents, followed by a 20-minute film documenting the growth of the United States. The highlight of the night occurs at 8:30 PM, when the National Anthem marks the moment the massive granite faces are illuminated against the night sky. The ceremony concludes with a moving tribute where veterans and active military members are invited to the stage for the retirement of the flag, wrapped up by 9:00 PM for your return trip. Given the drop in temperature once the sun sets in the Black Hills, it is highly recommended to bring a jacket to supplement the blankets provided in the van for the ride back to your hotel.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Affordable Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Had the best time!
Lin was incredible, he was so thoughtful and informative. I appreciated that he took the time to learn and use our names, he brought blankets for us to both sit on and cover with if chilled. He didn’t just recite information he conversed with us.
via Viator
Enjoy the Lighting Ceremony
Great way to enjoy the Lighting Ceremony directly from our hotel. Left the driving up to our guide and focused on enjoying Mt Rushmore totally. This is the smart way to go.
via Viator
Miserable Experience
There was extremely heavy fog & drizzly rain. The fog was so thick that you couldn’t even see the mountain, much less the faces on Mt. Rushmore. We sat in the drizzly rain with an umbrella & watched the ceremony show, but not seeing the faces on the mountain was a huge disappointment. Especially because we paid $200.00 for it. Our guide was nice & informative & did a good job driving in the fog; but I don’t understand why the tour wasn’t canceled & rescheduled due to the weather. That’s money & time wasted & I think if you cannot see the mountain, then you should get at least a partial refund. I don’t understand why the park service does the show at all in such bad weather. It was an entirely miserable experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback . We are very sorry to hear that your experience was so disappointing because the heavy fog and rain prevented you from seeing Mt Rushmore. We completely understand how frustating it is to invest time and money into a tour, only to have the main highlight obscured by rainy and foggy weather. We appreciate your kind words about our tour guide's driving and knowledge under such difficult conditions. However, we hear your frustration regarding the weather policy and the park's decision to proceed with the ceremony. While the National Park Service ceremonies generally operate rain or shine only canceling if there is lightening, we realize the zero visibility creates a very poor guest experience. Because your satisfaction is important to us we would like to review your booking and discuss compensation options, including a partial refund. Please contact us at 605-342-7691 or email us at affordableadventuresbh@yahoo.com with your booking details so we can assist you right away. Thanks you again for your honest feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our service. Warm Regards, Ann Thompson Affordable Adventure Tours
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience!
We booked this tour sort of on a whim. It could not have been better. Ann was absolutely amazing! So knowledgeable and showed us other sights we would never have been able to see. I highly recommend Ann for this adventure!!
via Tripadvisor
Honored and Proud
This was an excellent tour choice. The third party provider was “Affordable Adventures” and they were great! Trevor was our guide who provided door to door service, snacks and drinks. Since it was a rainy foggy night, umbrellas, blankets and plastic for the seats were provided! He guided our group to the amphitheater and told us where to meet after. The Park Rangers presentation was touching and truly a tribute to our country and the best was the honoring of the service people in attendance! Commendable presentation!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Affordable Adventures, who run 11 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.0.
See everything Affordable Adventures runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.
How much does Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rapid City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rapid City is not rushed.
Is Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rapid City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rapid City and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rapid City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rapid City?
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Rapid City is the base for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse tours, Badlands National Park loops, Custer State Park wildlife drives and Black Hills cave visits. On Outty we rank every Rapid City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show, Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rapid City?
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May to September, with Sturgis crowding early August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rapid City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?
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Included: Bottled water; Admission fees; Snacks; English Speaking Guide; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Meals; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 50 listed pickup locations in and around Rapid City.
What languages is Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?
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Across 15 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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