Crazy Horse Memorial — Attraction in Custer

We enjoyed our visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial. The cost to enter was $15 per person for adults, with no senior discount. (Lots of us gray-haired visitors during the season from May - October in the Mt. Rushmore area. So don't expect a discount for your life experience.) The views of the Memorial from the Museum and Cultural Center are terrific. There is a tour to the construction site for $125 PER PERSON donation or a $5 bus ride to the base. We opted for the less expensive bus ride. The driver gave a running dialogue of the history of the construction. 2023 is the 75th Anniversary of the inaugural blast on the side of the granite mountain. No estimate on its completion is offered since it is funded entirely by donation. Federal funds have been offered and declined by the tribe. It was unclear to me how much the tribe (or tribes) are involved (hands-on) in the actual construction. The family doing the design and engineering are the descendents of the original sculptor hired to build the Memorial 75-years-ago.

We listened to a member of the tribe discuss some of the history and culture of her people. She demonstrated briefly a traditional dance, and then her daughter gave us a brief glimpse of the Shawl Dance. Both dances were beautiful. I had seen a Hoop Dancer on our previous visit and was very impressed with her skill in her art.

We enjoyed our visit. And had lunch at the Cafe. My companion had the Indian fry bread taco, and I ate the Buffalo stew with my fry bread on the side. I have long enjoyed fry bread during my years of living in Arizona, but this fry bread tasted like it was made from Bisquick baking mix. The stew was tasty but light on the meat and veg. The bread is the main ingredient and designed to fill you up. My companion ate about half of the taco, as the piece of fry bread is about 6 inches in diameter. The Cafe has other items on their menu, including a self-service buffet with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, etc.

The Museum has many displays from various tribes across the U.S. This was my second visit. And we will probably...

The Crazy Horse Memorial, a monumental undertaking over 70 years in the making, stands as a testament to human perseverance, vision, and cultural reverence. This awe-inspiring project, entirely funded by private donations from individuals, has never relied on government support—an extraordinary feat in itself. The original sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, began this ambitious endeavor with just $200 in his pocket, fueled by an unrelenting dream to honor the legacy of Crazy Horse, a revered Native American leader. His tenacity and passion have been carried forward by his family and a dedicated staff, who continue to pass the torch, ensuring the project’s progress despite immense challenges. Carved into the rugged granite of South Dakota’s Black Hills, the memorial is a colossal work in progress, surpassing the scale of iconic landmarks like the Sphinx and even towering above the Washington Monument. It’s more than a sculpture; it’s a labor of love, blending engineering prowess with artistic brilliance. Recent fundraising efforts have secured a crane, a milestone that brings the completion of the horse’s form closer, potentially within the next decade. Visiting the site, I was struck by the sheer magnitude of this creation and the unity it symbolizes. It celebrates the diverse yet shared struggles of Native American heritage, embodying pride and resilience. The experience of witnessing this evolving masterpiece was humbling, offering profound insight into the enduring spirit of Crazy Horse and the cultural identity he represents. Learning about the project’s history and ongoing efforts left me inspired, filled with admiration for the dedication driving this monumental...

Crazy Horse is the world’s most giant mountain carving in progress. right now it is the Statue of Unity, India. The carving started in 1948 and is still in progress. And chances are there even our grand kids would not be able to see this completed.

Crazy Horse is the Oglala Lakota Native American warrior.

To get to know this, I would suggest reading history about this - why it is not completed yet, why they refused federal funds TWICE, what make the main sculptor (Ziolkowski ) take this job, and many more

When we reached, we thought we could go up there but it's not allowed and only once in a whole day, a bus takes you to the top. . Entry fee is $35 and you can visit a small amusement park kinda establishment where they show everything related to this memorial and how this project is still going.

If you want to see the sculpture from up close you can opt for the additional bus ride of about half an hour round trip (~$5 extra per person). There is the additional option of donating $125 and being able to go to the top of the mountain as well.

They say- When it is finished he will be riding a horse and pointing off into the distance. When completed, he is said to be 641 feet wide and 563 feet tall. His head will be 87 feet high, while the heads of the presidents at Mount Rushmore are only 60 feet high. it is barely 10% complete and when it will be done? ANOTHER 100 YEARS (might be)

The Memorial is close to the Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial and is a must-visit destination on South...