Yellowstone & Mount Rushmore

Yellowstone & Mount Rushmore: history

Yellowstone became the world's first national park on 1 March 1872. It sits on a huge volcano, which is why it holds more than half of the world's geysers.

Mount Rushmore was carved between 1927 and 1941. The faces of Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Lincoln are each about 60 feet tall. The Crazy Horse Memorial nearby was begun in 1948 and is still being carved. Grand Teton became a national park in 1929.

Yellowstone & Mount Rushmore: tourist attractions

• Old FaithfulThe geyser erupts about every hour and a half.
• Grand Prismatic SpringThe largest hot spring in the United States, ringed with colour.
• Grand Canyon of the YellowstoneThe Lower Falls seen from Artist Point.
• Lamar & Hayden valleysBison, elk and, with luck, bears and wolves.
• Mammoth Hot SpringsWhite terraces of stone built by hot water.
• Mount RushmoreThe four presidents, and the evening lighting ceremony in summer.
• Crazy Horse MemorialThe mountain carving in progress, and its museum.
• Grand Teton & JacksonJenny Lake, sharp peaks and the antler arches of the town square.

Yellowstone & Mount Rushmore: excursions nearby

• Custer State Park about 30 miles from Rapid CityA wildlife drive among herds of bison.
• Badlands National Park about 60 miles from Rapid CityStriped cliffs and open prairie.
• Devils Tower about 110 miles from Rapid CityA great column of rock, America's first national monument.
• Cody about 50 miles from Yellowstone's east gateThe Buffalo Bill museum and a summer rodeo.
• Good to knowMost roads in Yellowstone are closed to cars from early November to late April.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.