Crazy Horse Memorial^®

Distance from Rapid City: 45 minutes (37 miles)

Born in 1840, along Rapid Creek, Crazy Horse, or Tasunke Witco, rose to become one of the most recognized Native American figures of the Lakota Tribe, second only to Sitting Bull. Cemented in history as a legendary Native American war leader and fearless defender of Native American culture, territory, and life, Crazy Horse not only represents the freedom of the Native American spirit, but a continuing effort to preserve Native American culture within the American society. His monumental legacy inspired the world's largest mountain carving, currently in progress right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, only a 45-minute drive from Rapid City.

The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation was created to protect and promote North American Indian culture and heritage. This distinctive project offers not just the ongoing carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial®, but also educational and cultural enrichment. It houses the Indian Museum of North America^® and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center^®, and supports the Indian University of North America^®. At the campus visitors can also enjoy a meal with an exceptional view at the Laughing Water Restaurant^®, witness special performances, and embark on an adventure that shares insights about tradition, culture, and heritage. Each visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial^® is a unique, unforgettable experience.

Experience It Before You Experience It

Take a stroll through the Crazy Horse Memorial campus before you stand beneath the awe-inspiring mountain.

About Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse Memorial® Historical Overview

In 1948, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began work on the monumental Crazy Horse Memorial^®, fulfilling a request by Lakota chief, Standing Bear, to educate and communicate the strength of Native American culture to the community. "My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes, too," he wrote, offering the entirety of his 900 acres, in exchange for the mountain that, upon its completion, will become the largest mountain carving in the world. Today, Ziolkowski’s family members and their supporters continue to bring this artistic vision to life, inviting the community to celebrate the legacy of a great Native American hero, discover the beauty of Native American culture, and witness history in the making as Crazy Horse emerges from the mountainside.

Crazy Horse Quotes

The legacy of Crazy Horse is a source of inspiration for many. His most notable quotes beautifully reflect core human passions, experiences, and ambitions, creating emotional connections to American history and transcending cultural and societal barriers to resonate with and unify people from around the world. Here, Crazy Horse’s words express themes of hope, sorrow, truth, and strength, illustrating the desire for peace, a longing for freedom and resiliency in the fight for cultural equality and recognition.

“My lands are where my dead lie buried.”
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children.”
“I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you and I am at that place within me, we shall be one.”
“One does not sell the earth upon which the people walk.”
“A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.”

Plan your Experience

The Incredible Scale of Crazy Horse Memorial®

Though a portrait of Crazy Horse himself, the carved mountain monument in his honor is intended to immortalize and commemorate the soul of all native people. Rising over 563 feet high, Crazy Horse Memorial dwarfs the carved portraits of Mount Rushmore by nearly 10 times and is set to become one of the tallest monuments in the world once completed. Since its beginning in 1948, the face and outline have been established— the resolute gaze of Crazy Horse set in stone, looking out forever across the Black Hills.

Special Events at Crazy Horse Memorial®

With continuous progress being made on the mountain, and unique events taking place throughout the year, there's never a shortage of reasons to visit Crazy Horse. Annual events worth attending:

June

Embrace the best views around with Crazy Horse Memorial® Spring Volksmarch, a 10K or 6.2-mile hike through the woodlands leading you straight to the heart of the world's largest work-in-progress mountain carving.
Attend the annual Gift from Mother Earth Art Show, a three-day, extraordinary showcase of over 20 art exhibitors, enriched by the vibrant fusion of Native American cultures and the New West.
The first Crazy Horse Night Blast of the summer held to commemorate the Battle of Little Big Horn and celebrate the birthday of Ruth Ziolkowski, wife of the sculptor and key figure in the enduring effort to complete the memorial. The spectacular ceremonial blasts light up the mountain with fireballs and specially designed pyrotechnic features.

September

Take it astonishing views and fall colors during the Fall Volksmarch - an iconic trek intertwined with the energy of the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up taking place the same weekend.
A Crazy Horse Night Blast is held in observance of the 1887 death of Lakota leader Crazy Horse and the birthday of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.

October

Celebrate Native Americans' Day at Crazy Horse. Experience the legendary culture with Native American performances and a complimentary buffalo stew lunch.

Crazy Horse Memorial® Updates and Progress

Currently, a completion date for the monument has not been set; however, regular construction updates are available through the Crazy Horse Memorial website. Conceptual illustrations of the complete Crazy Horse Memorial design and vision are also available here.

The visitor campus includes a welcome center, restaurant, various theaters, the Indian Museum of North America®, and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center®.