Mount Rushmore Fireworks 2026: What Happened on July 3
The America 250 fireworks took place on Friday, July 3, 2026 for 4,800 lottery ticket holders. Here is what happened, whether they return in 2027, and what is on in the Black Hills next.
Updated: July 16, 2026
Date
Friday, July 3, 2026
Event hours
Approx. 4-10 p.m. MT (park opens 1 p.m.)
Tickets
Lottery only, application window closed April 2026
Drive-up viewing
Not allowed, highway closures in effect
The short version
Mount Rushmore's Independence Day fireworks took place on Friday, July 3, 2026, as the centerpiece of the memorial's official America 250 (Freedom 250) celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary. It was the first fireworks show at the memorial after a five-year absence. Roughly 4,800 people attended, all of them lottery ticket holders who applied months earlier. Programming ran from about 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and included the U.S. Air Force Academy Band.
Entry was by lottery ticket only. The memorial closed to the general public on the evening of July 2 and reopened at 1 p.m. Mountain Time on July 3 for ticket holders, with surrounding highways closed, so there was no drive-up or roadside viewing. The event is over and the lottery has closed.
Will they return in 2027? Unknown. The 2026 show was tied specifically to America's 250th anniversary, and neither the National Park Service nor the State of South Dakota has announced anything for 2027. We will update this page if that changes. If you are planning a Black Hills trip now, the next big dates are the Sturgis Rally (August 7-16) and the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup (September 24-26).
“The National Park Service today announced fireworks will again illuminate the sky above Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.”
This event has passed. The Mount Rushmore fireworks took place on July 3, 2026 and the memorial has since returned to normal operating hours. This page is kept as a record of how the America 250 event and its ticket lottery worked. If you are planning a Black Hills trip now, see Black Hills Summer 2026 or our Mount Rushmore hours and fees guide for current visiting details.
Make the Most of July 4th Week at Mount Rushmore
Whether or not you have fireworks tickets, these top-rated Mount Rushmore and Black Hills tours fill out a holiday itinerary, most with free cancellation through Viator.
Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Experience the stunning beauty of the Black Hills on this unforgettable private afternoon & evening tour, designed to highlight the region’s most scenic drives & end with the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony. First, we visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, nestled among pine-covered hills & dramatic rock formations. We continue with a picturesque journey along the legendary Needles Hwy, where towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, & sweeping views create an unforgettable drive. You’ll have plenty of time for photo stops, short walks, and commentary from your knowledgeable local guide. Then, travel the engineering marvel of Iron Mt Rd, known for its pigtail bridges, scenic switchbacks, & tunnels that perfectly frame Mt Rushmore in the distance. We arrive at Mt Rushmore with time to explore, then as night falls, gather at the amphitheater for the Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic & heartfelt experience that includes a short film, tribute to veterans, & the illumination of the iconic carvings.
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
Private Mount Rushmore and Flume Trail Hike
This tour gives you incredible in-depth knowledge of the Flume Trail, the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. There is a two person minimum to book this tour.
Mount Rushmore Memorial Shared Tour from Rapid City, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture’s roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The site also features a museum with interactive exhibits.
Stars & Stripes: Mount Rushmore Night Ceremony
Discover the best of the Black Hills on this unforgettable evening adventure. Your tour begins with a scenic drive along the world-famous Iron Mountain Road, a winding masterpiece with pigtail bridges, mountain vistas, and tunnels leading to Mt. Rushmore. Along the way, your guide shares insightful stories of the region’s history, people, and natural beauty. Arriving at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, we’ll stroll the Avenue of the Flags for a first close-up view of the monument. Your guide will bring the story of its creation to life with engaging details about the vision, artistry, and challenges behind this American landmark. As night falls, you’ll take part in the moving Evening Illumination Ceremony, where patriotic music and storytelling culminate in the dramatic lighting of the monument. This tour blends breathtaking scenery with cultural heritage and national pride, making it one of the most memorable ways to experience Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.
Shared Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Tour
This tour is unique because it offers a convenient and efficient way to experience two iconic South Dakota landmarks in a single day. Instead of having to drive yourself and navigate parking at both Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, this tour provides shared transportation from Rapid City, maximizing your time to explore and learn about these impressive monuments. By dedicating 2 hours to each site, you'll have ample time to take photos, soak in the history, and appreciate the artistry of these incredible sculptures. This is a great option for travelers seeking a hassle-free and time-optimized introduction to these popular South Dakota attractions.
Prices and availability provided by Viator. We earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to compare all options in one place? Browse our complete Black Hills tours hub or see live Mount Rushmore tour prices. No ticket? The nightly lighting ceremony tours are the closest free alternative to fireworks.
Do You Have Tickets? Start Here
How it worked for ticket holders
- • A printed or phone ticket plus valid photo ID were both required for entry.
- • Winners were awarded either the parking garage or the Rapid City shuttle, never both, and the two ran on very different timing.
- • The park opened at 1 p.m. Mountain Time and programming started around 4 p.m.
- • The evening ran past 10 p.m., and it cools off fast up there, so layers mattered.
What everyone else did
- • Drive-up and roadside viewing were not possible; the area was closed to non-ticket holders.
- • Most people went to one of the other Black Hills fireworks shows instead.
- • Mount Rushmore itself is open and free to walk up on ordinary days, so many visited earlier in their trip.
- • Lodging across the region sold out well ahead of the holiday weekend.
Event Details & Schedule
The 2026 fireworks are part of a full evening of programming at the memorial, hosted by the National Park Service together with the State of South Dakota as an official America 250 event. Here is how the day is structured.
| Time (MT) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Evening of July 2 | Memorial closes to general visitation to prepare for the event. |
| 1:00 p.m. (July 3) | Park reopens for ticketed participants only. Gates and security screening begin. |
| ~4:00 p.m. | Special programming begins, educational presentations, patriotic tributes, and live music. |
| After dark | Fireworks display over the carved faces, the finale of the evening. |
| ~10:00 p.m. | Event concludes; shuttles begin returning to Rapid City. |
Times are approximate and subject to change by the National Park Service. Always confirm the latest schedule on the official NPS and Travel South Dakota pages before you go.
How the Ticket Lottery Worked
All tickets were free to enter for and were distributed at random through an online lottery on Recreation.gov. The lottery has now closed, but understanding how it ran is useful if you are tracking releases of any returned tickets or planning for future years.
Application window
April 8 (8:00 a.m. MT) through April 12 (9:59 p.m. MT), 2026, with a $1 non-refundable application fee per entry.
Results
Applicants were notified of lottery results on April 14, 2026.
What each entry covered
Up to four tickets per applicant, plus a request for either a parking-garage space or shuttle seats (you could request both but be awarded only one).
Eligibility
Per federal guidelines, the lottery and event were open only to U.S. residents.
Getting There: Shuttle vs. Parking Garage
Lottery winners received one of two access types. They run on different schedules, so confirm which one you hold before the day.
Rapid City Shuttle
- • Buses depart from Rapid City for the roughly one-hour ride to the memorial.
- • No return trips to Rapid City until after the event ends, plan to stay for the whole night.
- • Best if you are staying in or near Rapid City and want to avoid driving in holiday traffic.
Parking Garage
- • Admits one vehicle into the memorial parking structure plus up to four people.
- • You drive yourself, but expect long lines and slow exits after the show.
- • Best if you are staying close to the memorial, such as in Keystone.
Road Closures & Traffic
This is the single most important thing to understand if you are visiting that week: access is tightly controlled and you cannot simply pull over to watch.
- • Memorial closed to the public: Mount Rushmore is closed to general visitation starting the evening of July 2 and reopens July 3 for ticket holders only. Per the National Park Service, "the park will close to the general public the evening of July 2 and reopen for ticketed participants only starting at 1 p.m. Mountain Time on July 3."
- • Highway closures: Roads near the memorial are closed to non-ticketed traffic, which means no drive-up or roadside viewing of the fireworks.
- • Downtown Rapid City: The city has discussed downtown closures from July 2-4 to support America 250 festivities.
- • Region-wide congestion: Expect heavy traffic on Iron Mountain Road, the Keystone corridor, and US-16 all weekend. Build in generous extra time for any drive.
No Ticket? Where to Celebrate the 4th in the Black Hills
The Mount Rushmore show is ticket-only, but the Black Hills go all-out for Independence Day. If you missed the lottery, you have plenty of great options across the region.
See Mount Rushmore another day
The memorial is open and free to walk up nearly every other day of your trip. Visit earlier in the week, then catch fireworks elsewhere on the 3rd or 4th. Our Mount Rushmore tours guide covers the best ways to experience it, and our live tour price comparison shows what each format costs.
Community fireworks across the Hills
Towns across the region host their own Independence Day fireworks. Pick the show nearest your home base:
- • Rapid City,July 4 celebrations downtown and at Memorial Park; best if you are staying at Rapid City hotels
- • Custer,Annual July 4th fireworks near downtown; pair with Custer hotels for Custer State Park access
- • Hill City,Small-town parade and evening fireworks; central base via Hill City hotels
- • Deadwood & Lead,Northern Hills celebrations; see Deadwood hotels
- • Spearfish,Northern Hills option with canyon scenery; fewer crowds than the Rushmore corridor
Confirm times with each town's official calendar before you go. Schedules can shift with weather.
Try the nightly lighting ceremony instead
Mount Rushmore's free Evening Lighting Ceremony runs nightly May 23 through September 30 at 9 p.m. It is not fireworks, but it is open to everyone with no lottery. Lighting ceremony tours handle the drive and timing if you are staying in Rapid City or Custer.
Make a full holiday itinerary
With Mount Rushmore booked for the night of the 3rd, the rest of the week is perfect for Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and the rest of the top Black Hills attractions. Use our Black Hills itinerary to sequence a 3-5 day trip, or see the broader summer 2026 guide for events, crowds, and lodging tips.
Where to Stay Near Mount Rushmore
July 3-4, 2026 was one of the busiest weekends the Black Hills has ever seen, and lodging near the memorial had sold out months ahead. The same towns are still the right bases for any Mount Rushmore trip, and the same booking pressure returns for the Sturgis Rally (August 7-16) and the Buffalo Roundup weekend in late September. Reserve those dates as early as you can.
Closest to the memorial
- Keystone hotels , minutes from the entrance; ideal if you hold a parking ticket.
- Hotels near Mount Rushmore , the full set of closest options. Read why staying nearby matters on event weekend.
Best for shuttle riders & selection
- Rapid City hotels , the shuttle departure point, plus the most rooms and restaurants.
- Hill City and Custer , central bases for the rest of the week.
Not sure which town fits your trip? Use our free Where to Stay in the Black Hills tool, and review the best time to visit guide to plan around the holiday crowds.
Tips for the Big Day
Arrive early & pack smart
- • Get in line well before the 4 p.m. programming start.
- • Bring layers, Black Hills evenings cool quickly even in July.
- • Carry water, snacks, and a fully charged phone for your ticket.
- • Review the NPS bag and prohibited-items policy before you arrive.
Plan the exit
- • Shuttles do not return to Rapid City until after the event ends.
- • If you drove, expect a slow exit from the parking garage.
- • Don't schedule anything early the next morning.
- • Confirm the final schedule on official NPS channels before you go.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Black Hills Summer 2026
America 250, Sturgis, drought, and the full holiday-week outlook
All Black Hills Tours
Guided, private, combo, and lighting ceremony tours compared
Benefits of Staying Near Mount Rushmore
Why Keystone and Hill City beat a long commute on event weekend
Black Hills Itinerary
3-5 day trip sequence with Rushmore, CSP, and Badlands
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the Mount Rushmore fireworks in 2026?
The Mount Rushmore fireworks took place on Friday, July 3, 2026. The event was an official America 250 (Freedom 250) celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, hosted by the National Park Service in partnership with the State of South Dakota. The park opened at 1 p.m. and special programming ran from approximately 4 to 10 p.m. Mountain Time, with the fireworks display as the finale after dark. It was the first fireworks show at the memorial in five years, and roughly 4,800 lottery ticket holders attended.
How do I get tickets to the 2026 Mount Rushmore fireworks?
Tickets were distributed exclusively through an online lottery on Recreation.gov. The application window ran April 8-12, 2026, with a $1 non-refundable application fee, and winners were notified on April 14, 2026. Each applicant could request up to four tickets plus either a parking-garage space or shuttle seats. The lottery has closed, so new tickets are no longer being issued through that process.
Could you watch the Mount Rushmore fireworks without a ticket?
No. Mount Rushmore National Memorial was closed to the general public on July 3, 2026, and highway closures around the memorial prevented drive-up or roadside viewing. Only lottery ticket holders with valid ID were admitted, and people without tickets went to one of the many other Independence Day fireworks shows across the Black Hills instead. The memorial has since reopened and is free to visit on normal days.
What was the difference between the parking and shuttle tickets?
The parking-garage ticket admitted up to four people and one vehicle into the memorial’s parking structure. The shuttle ticket admitted up to four people and included bus transportation from Rapid City to the memorial and back, a ride of roughly one hour each way, with no return shuttles until after the event ended. Applicants could request both options in the lottery but could only be awarded one.
Were there road closures for the Mount Rushmore fireworks?
Yes. The memorial closed to general visitation the evening of July 2, 2026 and reopened only for ticketed participants at 1 p.m. Mountain Time on July 3. Highways near Mount Rushmore were closed to non-ticketed traffic, and Rapid City ran downtown closures from July 2 to 4 to support America 250 festivities. All of these closures have since been lifted and the memorial is back to normal operations.
Where should I stay for the Mount Rushmore fireworks?
Keystone is the closest town to Mount Rushmore, while Rapid City offers the most hotels, restaurants, and the airport, and is the departure point for the event shuttles. Hill City and Custer are good central bases for exploring the rest of the Black Hills. July 3-4, 2026 was one of the busiest weekends the region has seen, and lodging near the memorial sold out well in advance. The same pattern applies to the Sturgis Rally in August, so book those dates as far ahead as possible.
Was the Mount Rushmore fireworks event open to non-U.S. residents?
No. Per federal guidelines for the 2026 lottery, the ticketed event was open only to U.S. residents. International visitors can still enjoy Mount Rushmore at any other time; the memorial is free to visit and open year round.
Event details are based on official announcements from the National Park Service, Travel South Dakota, and Recreation.gov. Dates, times, and logistics are subject to change, always confirm with official sources before finalizing travel plans.