Crazy Horse Memorial is a privately funded mountain carving in the Black Hills of South Dakota, located approximately 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore near Custer. The project, initiated in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the invitation of Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, is the world's largest mountain sculpture in progress. The carving depicts Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse mounted on horseback with his arm extended, pointing forward; when complete, the figure will measure 641 feet wide by 563 feet tall, dwarfing the nearby presidential carvings. The visitor complex sits roughly one mile from the mountain and includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and Korczak's Studio and Home — all included in the general admission. The orientation deck overlooks the carving from the visitor complex and provides a clear view of the 87-foot completed face portrait, carved in 1998, along with the unfinished arm and horse's head in rough blast form. On Friday nights from June through August, a laser light show projects imagery onto the mountain face after nightfall, drawing large evening crowds. The Volksmarch held annually in early June allows ticketed visitors to hike 6 miles to the base of the carving — one of the only opportunities to approach the mountain directly. The project is operated as a nonprofit and receives no federal or state tax funding; all work is financed through admission and donations. Because no completion date has been set, the memorial remains an evolving monument and ongoing act of cultural reclamation by the Lakota people.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open year-round 8am–8pm (summer), 9am–5pm (winter)
- Best time
- evening for laser light show (summer only)
Location
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Custer, SD 57730
43.8830, -103.5441 View on map
Highlights
- World's largest mountain carving in progress — 641 ft wide and 563 ft tall when complete
- 87-foot completed portrait face of Crazy Horse visible from the orientation deck
- Indian Museum of North America with Lakota and Plains tribes collections
- Summer Friday laser light show projecting imagery onto the mountain face after dark
- Annual June Volksmarch — one of the few times visitors may hike to the carving base
Tips for visiting
- Evening laser light shows (Friday nights June–August) are included in admission — arrive before 9pm
- The annual Volksmarch in early June is the only public opportunity to hike to the mountain base; register in advance
- Photography is best in the morning when sunlight strikes the face directly; afternoon leaves it in shadow
- Binoculars or a telephoto lens (200mm+) are useful for close detail of the face from the main viewing deck
- Bus rides to the mountain base are occasionally offered for an additional fee — ask at the ticket desk on arrival
When to visit
Morning (8–10am) provides direct sunlight on the carving face for the best visibility and photography. Friday evenings in summer are ideal for combining a daytime visit with the laser light show, though these evenings attract larger crowds than weekdays.
Accessibility
The visitor complex including the Indian Museum of North America and Korczak's Studio is largely accessible via paved pathways. The main orientation deck is reachable by paved walkway from the visitor center. Some areas near active construction zones may be restricted; staff can advise on accessible routes at the entrance.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Crazy Horse Memorial take?
Two to three hours covers the orientation deck, Indian Museum of North America, and sculptor's studio. Allow a full evening if attending the Friday laser light show, which begins after dark in summer.
When will Crazy Horse Memorial be finished?
There is no official completion date. The project is entirely privately funded and work continues steadily; the face portrait was completed in 1998 but the arm, horse, and full figure remain under active construction.
Is photography allowed at Crazy Horse Memorial?
Yes, photography is permitted throughout the visitor complex and from the orientation deck. A telephoto lens produces the best close-up shots of the face from the main viewing area one mile away.