The western end of South Dakota will always hold a special place in my heart. For as long as I can remember, my family made an annual pilgrimage to those welcoming, beautiful Black Hills. As I grew up, I began to cherish those trips more and more. I was able to fully understand and grasp the significance of both the places and history, but also the fact that they (Black Hills National Forest, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial) had been set aside for us. For my family. For me. For my future family.
Now I’m grown up and have a family of my own. My husband I were married in the Black Hills and we try to continue the annual pilgrimage. I can’t describe how special it is to see my 2 year old son discover these wonderful places for the first time.
My son refers to Mount Rushmore as “my mountain.” And he’s right, it is his mountain. It’s each of ours. It’s our job to cherish and protect these areas for future generations. I want my son to be able to watch the wonder on his children’s faces one day as they are introduced to these places that will always be a second home to me.
Sincerely,
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This colossal sculpture showcases the iconic faces of four former U.S. presidents intricately carved into a mountain in South Dakota's Black Hills. The 60-foot-tall profiles of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were intended to represent the first 150 years of America's history and cultural heritage.
State(s): South Dakota
Established: 1925
“ It's our job to cherish and protect these areas for future generations. I want my son to be able to watch the wonder on his children's faces one day as they are introduced to these places that will always be a second home to me.”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Mount Rushmore National Memorial
My now husband and I were on a National Park road trip in 2016 (Badlands, Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Teton). We had a long day exploring South Dakota and got to Mount Rushmore at sunset. While hiking around the base of the monument, he asked me if I wanted…
-
Greetings from Mount Rushmore National Memorial
While driving through Rapid City, I was afraid all of South Dakota was going to be just as congested. However, as my husband and I crossed the town line into Keystone, we were pleasantly surprised when the sign read “Population 337”. This remote mountain town is nestled into the ponderosa…
-
Greetings from Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore National Memorial was totally worth visiting! The views were great and the presidents' heads were amazing!! Hope I can visit this awesome place again!
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now