See Crazy Horse Memorial, a Monument Being Carved in Stone

In South Dakota’s Black Hills, near the town of Custer, a figure is emerging from the rock. It’s the image of Crazy Horse, the Oglala Lakota leader who fought to preserve his people’s way of life and led his warriors to victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. It’s part of the world’s largest mountain carving in progress at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Henry Standing Bear in front of a scale model rock carving in 1948 (Photo courtesy ©Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation)

Just 17 miles from Mount Rushmore, the memorial tells a different story of American history. In 1948, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski first started work on the monument. Five Indigenous survivors of the Battle of Little Bighorn looked on. Oglala Lakota chief Henry Standing Bear had asked the sculptor to build a memorial that would honor all Native Americans. He wanted the world to know that, “the red man has great heroes, also.” Today, that’s the essence of the mission of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation: to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of North America’s Indigenous people. Korczak married Ruth (Ross) Ziolkowski and they dedicated their entire lives to bringing the dream of Crazy Horse Memorial into reality. They had 10 children, many of whom also have spent their lives on this project. To this day, second and third generation Ziolkowski family members are working on the monument.

How to Spend a Day at Crazy Horse Memorial

Start your day at the Crazy Horse Memorial Cultural Center (Photo courtesy ©Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation)

When you visit today, you’ll experience so much more than a sculpture in progress. Open year round, the first thing you’ll notice when you enter the memorial is the monument itself. Though it’s three-quarters of a mile from the visitor center, Crazy Horse’s face is clearly visible, as well as his left hand, which was completed in 2023.

Start with a short introductory film at the welcome center. The complex includes sculptor Ziolkowski’s original log home and workshop, galleries and museums. If you’re visiting Memorial Day through September, check the schedule when you arrive to learn what kind of cultural programming will be happening during your visit.

A Native American dancer performs with Crazy Horse Memorial in the distance (Photo courtesy ©Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation)

There’s often performances by Native American dancers and musicians, with many different Indigenous cultures represented. Don’t miss the optional tour to the bottom of the mountain. It lasts a half-hour and you’ll get a unique perspective on the moment. Check the schedule for tour times. Visiting the memorial is a family friendly experience. Whether you’re traveling with kids or grandparents, you’ll find something that will interest everyone from educational activity packets to museums.

If you get hungry, stop by Laughing Water Restaurant to try specialities like fry bread tacos or tatanka (bison) stew. The gift shop is a must-stop before heading out, with one-of-a-kind pieces by Indigenous artisans, as well as exclusive souvenirs.

“Be sure to plan enough time to visit,” says Amanda Allcock, director of sales, marketing and tourism. “Visitors often say how frustrated they are that they didn’t have enough time. We recommend a minimum of 2.5 hours for a visit.”

And if you didn’t budget quite enough time and want to return? Ask for a re-admission pass when you leave, which is free and good for seven days so you can return at a later date to see more.

In addition to educating visitors on the culture and heritage of North America’s Native people, the memorial is also home to the Indian University of North America where Indigenous students can earn college credits at the memorial.

Will Crazy Horse Memorial Ever Be Finished?

Crazy Horse Memorial is currently a work in progress (Photo courtesy ©Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation)

Crazy Horse Memorial has been in development for more than 70 years and while the progress is astounding, there’s still much more to go. Visit the 1/34 scale model created by Ziolkowski at the visitor center and see what the eventual monument will look like. It will one day measure 641 feet long and 563 feet tall.

The memorial operates solely on donations and admission fees. No federal funding is accepted, meaning progress relies on visitors and their generosity.

A new robotic arm and tower crane were purchased in 2024, allowing automation of the contouring process, as well as making it easier to access more work areas with crew members and equipment. The crane is capable of moving up to 25,000 pounds. The new equipment is expected to expedite the process, though there is no anticipated end date. The carving is still a family endeavor, with Ziolkowski’s grandchildren currently working on the monument. Caleb Ziolkowski serves as the Chief Mountain Officer.

Walk to the Top of the Memorial at the Bi-Annual Volksmarch

Hike to the top of the memorial during the bi-annual Volksmarch (Photo courtesy Barely Podcasting/Flickr)

While access to the top of the mountain is usually reserved for donors, twice a year you can hike to the top at the Volksmarch. Bring three cans of non-perishable food items for a charity donation, pay the $4 administrative fee and entrance to the monument will be waived. Choose between a 5K or 10K hike with 500 feet of elevation gain. At the top, come face to face with Crazy Horse. The hike happens on the Saturday of the first full weekend in June and the last Sunday in September.

Crazy Horse Memorial, Laughing Water Restaurant and The Indian University of North America are registered copyrights.

Plan Your Visit

For more information:
Crazy Horse Memorial
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
Crazy Horse, SD 57730
(605) 673-4681
crazyhorsememorial.org

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