Seating for the Mount Rushmore fireworks is not assigned and is available to ticketholders on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early if you can.

When can ticketholders enter the park?

Gates open for ticketholders at 1 p.m. MT on July 3. The park is closed to all other visitors that day.

What does my ticket include in terms of parking or transportation?

Each ticket covers up to four people and includes either one parking space at Mount Rushmore or shuttle service from Rapid City, assigned at random through the lottery. Shuttle ticketholders received a separate email with parking details. View information on temporary road closures during the event .

What items are prohibited?

Each ticket includes a full list of items not permitted at the event. For the latest updates and additional details, check the National Park Service website .

Mount Rushmore Fireworks

Mark your calendar! On Friday, July 3, 2026, fireworks return to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in celebration of America's 250th birthday! The State of South Dakota and National Park Service have teamed up to bring this spectacular Freedom 250 event to life at one of the nation's most iconic landmarks. Enjoy the celebration right here by tuning in to our livestream wherever you happen to be on July 3.

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Ticket Information & Event Details

Tickets, issued through a lottery system, are required to attend the July 3 event and fireworks at Mount Rushmore. The ticket lottery ended on April 12. All tickets are non-transferable.

The park closes to the general public on the evening of July 2 and will remain closed on July 3. Only lottery ticket recipients will be allowed to access the park on July 3.

Headed to the event? Jump to the Important Information for Ticketholders section below for everything you need to know before arriving. More information about the event, including FAQs, can be found on the National Park Service website.

Even if you can’t attend the fireworks display, Mount Rushmore will be open to all visitors on July 4 for its annual Independence Day Celebration, featuring historical reenactments, patriotic performances and special programming before and after the big event:

All times are Mountain Time (MT).

July 2: The memorial grounds open at 5 a.m. Enjoy interpretive ranger programs throughout the day and a patriotic musical performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. The memorial will close to the public at 11 p.m. to begin setup for the next day’s ticketed event.
July 3: The park is closed to the general public. Only ticketholders may enter, beginning at 1 p.m. The special events are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and conclude around 10 p.m.
July 4: The park reopens to everyone at 5 a.m., no reservations needed. Enjoy a full day of Independence Day programming, including presidential reenactors and Indigenous demonstrations, capped by another rousing performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band at 7 p.m. to close out the weekend.

For more details, visit the National Park Service website.

Where Can I Watch the Mount Rushmore Fireworks Without a Ticket?

Catch the full, official broadcast of all the day's events right here via livestream starting Friday, July 3, at 4 p.m. MT. The fireworks show will happen at approximately 9:30 p.m. MT.

Planning to be in the Black Hills? Join the crowd at Main Street Square in Rapid City for a free watch party at 9:30 p.m. on July 3. It's part of the Real America Birthday Bash, a multi-day downtown celebration running July 1–5, with live music, food trucks, family activities, fireworks and a spectacular drone show.

There are also watch parties full of festivity at the Hotel Alex Johnson in downtown Rapid City and at the Custer Beacon in Custer.

Information for Ticketholders

Before you arrive at Mount Rushmore, be sure to read these important details.

Black Hills Roundup Rodeo — Black Hills Roundup, one of the country's oldest continuously running outdoor rodeos

Fireworks in South Dakota — Spend the day spotting wildlife in Custer State Park, then catch fireworks at Custer's Fourth of July Celebration.

Gold Camp Jubilee Days, Lead — For an unforgettable sight, watch fireworks explode over the Open Cut in Lead during the Gold Camp Jubilee.

fall river — The southern Black Hills are rich with discovery, from natural hot springs and prehistoric fossil sites to the Fall River 4th of July.

More Fourth of July Fun in the Black Hills

Whether you’re attending the Mount Rushmore fireworks or looking for other ways to celebrate, America's birthday party is happening in South Dakota, and everyone's invited. From Old West shootouts, cook-offs, car shows and ice cream socials to concerts, rodeos, arts and crafts vendors and more, you'll find some of the best Fourth of July celebrations anywhere in America right here in the Black Hills & Badlands.

Discover more great fireworks displays around South Dakota, or explore our full calendar for more exciting events and festivals this summer.

Add More Black Hills Icons to Your Itinerary

Keep the adventure going and make your Fourth of July in South Dakota even more unforgettable by visiting the iconic Black Hills landmarks just minutes from Mount Rushmore, from the awe-inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial® to the underground wonders of Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Explore the interactive map below to discover more must-see attractions waiting around every bend!