Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour in Rapid City
Rapid City, United States

Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour

Outty Ranking 70 5.0 · 11 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $100

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

70/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour worth booking?

Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour is a 3-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
70 / 100
Rating
5/5 (11)
Duration
3 hours
From
$100 per person

9 pm Lighting Ceremony: May 22nd - August 9th We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 7:30-7:45 pm in 7 or 12 passenger van depending on if we have others going. It is a 45 minute drive to Mt Rushmore. You wo

What you get

    About this experience

    9 pm Lighting Ceremony: May 22nd - August 9th We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 7:30-7:45 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 9:00 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 9:30 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 10:45 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

    1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

      We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 7:30-7:45 pm in our 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 9:00 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 our country in relation to the 4 presidents. At 9:30 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 our 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 10:45 pm.

      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

    Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour in Rapid City, photo 2Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour in Rapid City, photo 3Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour in Rapid City, photo 4Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour in Rapid City, photo 5

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    11 verified traveler reviews for Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    11
    4 star
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    3 star
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    Sort
    SuburbanMomof2kids · August 2026

    Awe inspiring to see ❤️

    We made the most out of this area and got to Mount Rushmore at 1pm and stayed till 10pm to get the lighting ceremony in. Totally worth a long day of waiting for it. The video and park ranger speech was heartwarming and simple about USA and the presidents that are represented by the mountain. The lighting was a good top off. The image was a bit surreal and awe inspiring after seeing the mountain in day light all day. I would probably go later in the afternoon and do all other things around the park before the nighttime. We finished the other park attractions early and then had to sit around until 9pm. We are seniors and the parking was discounted. It is a must see to wait.

    via Tripadvisor

    Mary_W · July 2026

    4th of Juuly at Mt. Rushnore

    The actual tour company you booked us with = was fabulous.They were very knowledgeable about the area and event.

    via Viator

    exploringwarmth · July 2026

    Seeing Mt. Rushmore at Night with Pick Up and Drop Off is the Best Way to Go!

    For our Mt. Rushmore Night Lighting Tour, we were picked up in a mini bus with twelve other tourists. Our driver, Jerry, was very entertaining and nice. He gave us helpful information for the evening and made an extra special stop on our way home so that we could see Mt. Rushmore lit up through the eye of a nearby tunnel. The evening wasn’t too chilly (June 12), but we appreciated the small blankets that were provided. Jerry told us about the opportunity for veterans to join in lowering the colors on stage and the best place to sit if we were interested. My husband did participate and it was a memorable experience! ‘So glad we used Affordable Adventures for the convenience and extra tips that were provided to make our evening fun!

    via Tripadvisor

    Culture405979 · July 2026

    America the great

    Light ceremony is well done. Worth the stop.

    via Tripadvisor

    patrickgI7179ZD · July 2026

    Good during the day,better at night

    The mountain looks great when the lights are on

    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
    4
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 70

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)94
    Review evidence (18% weight)39
    Booking momentum (14% weight)30
    Value for money (12% weight)83
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Mt Rushmore 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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour cost?

    +

    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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour take?

    +

    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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 11 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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?

    +

    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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour?

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    Around 4 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?

    +

    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 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, PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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