2. Mount Rushmore Climbing Area
City: Keystone, SD
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: SR 244
Description: The area northwest of the four famous faces has become increasingly popular among climbers. The routes along the granite here tend to be bolted. You can learn more about them in the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Climber’s Guide by Vernon Phinney, which is widely available. You can park along the highway in any of several pull-offs between Horse Thief Lake (on SR 244) and the monument. Recommended classic routes include Waves (5.6), Stardancer (5.8), Baba Cool (5.9), and Mr. Critical (5.11).