Borglum Viewing Terrace

From the Grand View Terrace [1], follow the concrete pathway located on the Lincoln side of the monument to the Borglum Viewing Terrace, the site of Borglum’s first temporary studio, where he worked before a more spacious studio was built closer to the mountain. This site is not wheelchair accessible.

Just yards away from the Grand View Terrace, the Borglum Viewing Terrace offers a completely different view of the monument. More natural in its overall feel, here the view of the presidents is framed by large ponderosa pines—and the faces of Washington and Roosevelt dominate.

Mount Rushmore [2] has an artist-in-residence program through which sculpture classes [3] are offered at the Borglum View Terrace. The classes are held outside, so if classes are going on you are free to watch budding sculptors in action.

Registration for the weeklong classes is available online through the monument’s website. Information is also provided at the information desks located at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center [4] or at the Information Center. The classes are open to anyone over the age of 13 and are free. All tools are provided.

The Borglum View Terrace is the only area in the park available for weddings. Couples wishing to use the terrace for their wedding may do so by permit only. With the exception of the period between June 25 and July 4 and Christmas Day, weddings are allowed year-round. The cost of using Mount Rushmore as a wedding site is based on the number of rangers assigned to the special event and to the length of the wedding.