South Dakota's Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration Lottery
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The State of South Dakota and the National Park Service are teaming up to bring fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for a spectacular 250th anniversary of America celebration on July 3, 2026. The event will include fireworks displays and other entertainment.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an iconic symbol of American democracy that welcomes more than three million visitors a year from across the country and around the world.
The surrounding Black Hills National Forest, Jewel Cave National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Devils Tower National Monument, Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park, offer a variety of experiences and plenty of recreation opportunities for those who plan to visit any time of year.
Event Details
Visitors wishing to attend the event will be required to obtain tickets in advance through the online lottery. The park will be closed to general visitation effective the evening of July 2 and will reopen for only ticketed participants the afternoon of July 3. Security screening is required. Each ticket, for your group of four people or less, will include one parking space within the Memorial, or shuttle access to the event.
Tickets will be assigned through the lottery for the following options:
Seating will be within the developed area of the Memorial. Seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Parking garage option includes an event ticket for up to four people and one vehicle entry to the parking garage at the Memorial
Shuttle option includes an event ticket for up to four people and shuttle transportation from Rapid City to the park and back to Rapid City from the park
All event details are subject to change with little notice.
The programming and event are currently scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and conclude about 10 p.m. Mountain Time. Please allow ample time for security screening. There will be limitations on items allowed through security.
Lottery Details
The lottery will open on April 8 at 8 a.m. MT / 9 a.m CT and will close on April 12 at 9:59 p.m. MT / 10:59 p.m. CT
Tickets will be assigned at random with opportunities for either parking garage or shuttle options. You can request tickets for both the parking garage and shuttle options at time of entry, however, you cannot be awarded both options. Applicants will be notified on April 14, 2026 with the lottery results. If successful, your reservation confirmation will indicate which option (parking garage or shuttle) you have been assigned and your ticket with event details will be included with the notification. Please review your ticket for event details, terms and conditions.
Each ticket includes up to four participants within the vehicle including the driver (parking garage), or shuttle service to and from the event for your group. When applying for the lottery the total number of participants, up to four per vehicle, must be declared. Those awarded tickets will be limited to the number initially declared.
Fees and Cancellations
There is a $1 non-refundable lottery application fee.
Tickets are non-transferable.
No refunds or cancellations will be issued in the event of cancellation.
The State of South Dakota and the National Park Service are teaming up to bring fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for a spectacular 250th anniversary of America celebration on July 3, 2026. The event will include fireworks displays and other entertainment.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an iconic symbol of American democracy that welcomes more than three million visitors a year from across the country and around the world.
The surrounding Black Hills National Forest, Jewel Cave National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Devils Tower National Monument, Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park, offer a variety of experiences and plenty of recreation opportunities for those who plan to visit any time of year.
Event Details
Visitors wishing to attend the event will be required to obtain tickets in advance through the online lottery. The park will be closed to general visitation effective the evening of July 2 and will reopen for only ticketed participants the afternoon of July 3. Security screening is required. Each ticket, for your group of four people or less, will include one parking space within the Memorial, or shuttle access to the event.
Tickets will be assigned through the lottery for the following options:
Seating will be within the developed area of the Memorial. Seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Parking garage option includes an event ticket for up to four people and one vehicle entry to the parking garage at the Memorial
Shuttle option includes an event ticket for up to four people and shuttle transportation from Rapid City to the park and back to Rapid City from the park
All event details are subject to change with little notice.
The programming and event are currently scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and conclude about 10 p.m. Mountain Time. Please allow ample time for security screening. There will be limitations on items allowed through security.
Lottery Details
The lottery will open on April 8 at 8 a.m. MT / 9 a.m CT and will close on April 12 at 9:59 p.m. MT / 10:59 p.m. CT
Tickets will be assigned at random with opportunities for either parking garage or shuttle options. You can request tickets for both the parking garage and shuttle options at time of entry, however, you cannot be awarded both options. Applicants will be notified on April 14, 2026 with the lottery results. If successful, your reservation confirmation will indicate which option (parking garage or shuttle) you have been assigned and your ticket with event details will be included with the notification. Please review your ticket for event details, terms and conditions.
Each ticket includes up to four participants within the vehicle including the driver (parking garage), or shuttle service to and from the event for your group. When applying for the lottery the total number of participants, up to four per vehicle, must be declared. Those awarded tickets will be limited to the number initially declared.
Fees and Cancellations
There is a $1 non-refundable lottery application fee.
Tickets are non-transferable.
No refunds or cancellations will be issued in the event of cancellation.
Need to Know
- Time of Arrival
The park will open at 1 p.m. on the day of the event on July 3, 2026.
- Tickets are required
Mount Rushmore National Memorial will be closed to the general public on July 3, 2026, and all reservation holders must present their tickets and valid ID to attend the event. Participants who were awarded tickets will be limited to the number of participants, up to four, that were initially requested in the application. Only children two-years old and under may enter without a ticket.
- U.S. Residents
As part of the Administration’s commitment to enhancing access for American residents, this lottery and event are open to U.S. residents only. A valid, government-issued photo ID will be required for entry for those 16 years and older.
U.S. State or Territory-Issued Driver’s License or State ID
U.S. Passport (book or card)
Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)
- Seating and Accessibility
Accessible seating is located within the back row of the Amphitheater seating area or on the Grand View Terrace. Children two-years old and under that are not included as ticket holders will not have an individual seat. Visitors are allowed to bring in one small personal bag for the purposes of transporting medications, refillable plastic water bottles or childcare items. Food and drink will be available for purchase on site. The following items are prohibited: aerosols, ammunition, animals other than service animals, alcohol, backpacks and bags exceeding the size restrictions (18” x 13” by 7”), bicycles, balloons or inflatables of any type, coolers, drones and other unmanned aircraft systems, explosives, firearms, glass, thermal or metal containers, laser pointers, mace/pepper spray, packages, recreational motorized mobility devices, selfie sticks, signs exceeding the size restrictions (20” by 3” by ¼”) structures, supports for signs and placards, umbrellas larger than 12” folded, umbrellas with metal tips, toy guns, weapons of any kind and any other items determined to be potential safety hazards.
- Security screening is required
All visitors and vehicles will proceed through security screening to attend the event. The lottery winner must be present to enter the event with their party, with a maximum of four people per ticket (children two-years old and under may enter without a ticket).
Garage info: Parking garage ticket holders and their guests must all fit in a single vehicle.
Shuttle info: Shuttles will depart from Rapid City for an approximately one-hour bus ride to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Tickets will be scanned prior to being admitted to a shuttle bus. Shuttle ticket holders and their guests must ride the shuttle together. There will be no return trips to Rapid City until after the event. Participants will need to be aware of the prohibited items list on the entry ticket since items may be forfeited at the security checkpoint. Attendees with firearms will not be allowed on the shuttle.
- Vehicle and Parking Instructions
For parking garage ticket, directions for accessing the vehicle checkpoint and garages will be included on the ticket. With the exception of children two-years old and under, everyone in the vehicle must have a ticket or be covered as a guest to be allowed through the checkpoint. The ticket must identify that it comes with a parking garage space. No campers, RVs, buses, trailers or oversized vehicles that cannot fit in a standard parking spot will be allowed. Parking instructions will be provided by security on site. All vehicles will be subject to security screening. Vehicles containing firearms will not be allowed to enter the site.
- Accessibility
Accessible parking spaces will be available both at the Memorial and in Rapid City. Accessible shuttle buses will also be available. Accessible seating is located in the last row of the Amphitheater.
- Prepare for congestion and delays
Congestion is to be expected before and after the event. Be prepared for long delays in entering and exiting the park. Plan for delays during security screening and exiting the park.
- Climate/Weather
Be prepared for heat, humidity, rain or cold. Weather in the Black Hills can be unpredictable.
- Participation
This event will be attended by thousands. Please plan accordingly.
- Restrooms
Restrooms are located within the park.
- Additional Event Information
Learn more about event details and important on-site instructions by visiting www.TravelSouthDakota.com/RushmoreFireworks or https://www.nps.gov/moru250
- Fees/Cancellation Information
No refunds or cancellations will be issued in the event of cancellation. Ticket is non-transferable and the $1 reservation fee is nonrefundable.
- Foreign Currency Not Accepted*
Recreation.gov does not accept payment from foreign bank accounts or travelers’ checks.
Changes and Cancellations
Tickets are non-transferable. No refunds or cancellations will be issued in the event of cancellation.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
13000 Highway 244, Building 31, Suite 1 Keystone SD 57751-0268
Phone Number
605-574-2523
