TourTruth score 8.0 out of 10
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Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour
TourTruth score 6.7 out of 10
Average
6 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Rapid City
- Updated October 31, 2026
Explore Mount Rushmore at your own pace with GPS directions, offline maps, and audio stories about its history, artistry, and sculptures.
About this tour
Explore Mount Rushmore with a self-guided audio tour that pairs the monumental presidential sculptures with stories of the memorial’s history, artistry, and construction. With your phone as your guide, you can take in the landmark at your own pace, without joining an in-person tour.
Download and redeem the Shaka Guide tour before you arrive, then follow GPS directions and automatically playing narration as you drive. The customizable start and offline map make it easier to shape your visit, while audio highlights share activity and restaurant recommendations along the way. The tour starts south of Rapid City, with additional starting points at Three Forks and along Highways 16, 385, and 87. Access never expires, so you can choose when to explore.
Mount Rushmore hours vary by season, and winter can bring road or attraction closures. Check current hours before setting out, and consider an early morning or late afternoon visit in summer to avoid crowds. Download the tour, set your own pace, and discover Mount Rushmore with a fresh perspective.
Highlights
- Admire the monumental sculptures of four U.S. presidents
- Hear stories about Mount Rushmore’s history and construction
- Explore at your own pace with GPS-guided directions
- Follow a customizable route with stops for highlights and recommendations
What's included
Included
- Access to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial tour in the Shaka Guide app
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
- Offline map
- Turn-by-turn GPS directions
- Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
- Customizable tour start
- Tours never expire
Not included
- Private transportation
- Meals and refreshments
- Parking fees
- In-person tour guide
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on ViatorViator
3.50 / 5 · 6 reviews
Important information
- A smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app is required
- Download the app and redeem the tour before arrival; strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required for the download
- Enable location services (GPS) on your device
- Secure any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
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- The tour starts south of Rapid City, South Dakota, with additional starting points at Three Forks, Highway 16, Highway 385, and Highway 87
- Mount Rushmore hours vary by season; check the National Park Service website before visiting
- May through September offers peak-season access; winter road and attraction closures are possible
- Visit early morning or late afternoon in summer to avoid crowds
- Pack layers for changing mountain temperatures
- Do not approach or feed wildlife
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
- Service animals are allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How do I access the tour?
Download the Shaka Guide app and redeem the tour before arrival. A compatible smartphone is required.
Does the tour require internet access?
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is needed to download the tour in advance. The tour includes an offline map.
Can I take the tour at my own pace?
Yes. The tour has a customizable start, and you can explore at your own pace. Tour access never expires.
Where does the tour start?
The tour starts south of Rapid City, South Dakota. Additional starting points include Three Forks, Highway 16, Highway 385, and Highway 87.
When is the best time to visit?
May through September is peak season. In summer, visit early or late to avoid crowds; winter road and attraction closures are possible.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 3.50 from 6 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Rapid City
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.7.
Provider rating distribution in Rapid City
How many tours in Rapid City have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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