Just 30 minutes away from the Powder House Lodge is the world’s largest sculpture in progress. Crazy Horse Memorial was commissioned in 1947 by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, and Korczak Ziolkowski made the first blast on the mountain in 1948. Ziolkowski had just previously helped Gutzon Borglum with the carving of Mount Rushmore.
Crazy Horse was a legendary warrior and leader of the Lakota Sioux, celebrated for his battle skills as well as his efforts to preserve Native American traditions and way of life. Resisting efforts to force the Sioux on to reservations, he fought alongside Sitting Bull and others in the American-Indian Wars, and was instrumental in the defeat of George Armstrong Custer’s forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. After surrendering to federal troops in 1877, he was killed by a soldier’s bayonet while trying to imprison him in a cell.
During your stay at the Powder House Lodge, you can experience the Crazy Horse Volksmarch in the spring or fall. This is your family’s chance to hike 10k (6.2-miles) to the top of the sculpture. The highlight of this journey is walking out onto the Crazy Horse’s arm and experiencing this truly breathtaking monument. Be sure to catch a night blast during the summer as well. Night blasts are a magnificent way to have an opportunity to see the work on the mountain.
Special Events with reduced or waived admission to Memorial
Special Events with reduced or waived admission to Memorial
- June 3 & 4, 2017- Spring Volksmarch.
Volksmarchers enjoy waived admission to the Memorial. Donation of 3 cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive is appreciated. There is a $3 participation charge by the Volkssport Association at the start lines. - June 26, 2017- Ruth's Night Blast
Night Blast Celebrating Ruth Ziolkowski’ s Life & Commemorating the Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
Waived Admission to Memorial for general public (beginning at 7:00 pm) – Food donation to regional food drives appreciated - September 6, 2017- Dual Anniversary Night Blast
Observance of dual anniversaries; 1877 Death of Lakota leader Crazy Horse and the Commemoration of the Birth Date of Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, born in 1908. Second night blast of the year.
Waived Admission to Memorial for general public (beginning at 5:00 pm) – Food donation to regional food drive appreciated. - October 1, 2017 - Autumn Volksmarch
Volksmarchers enjoy waived admission to the Memorial. A donation of 3 cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive is appreciated. There is a $3 participation charge by the Volkssport Association at the start lines. - Saturday, November 11, 2017 – Veteran’s Day
Free admission for Veterans.
Admission Prices
- $28.00 Per car – more than 2 people
- $22.00 = 2 people in car
- $11.00 = Per person
- $5.00 = Per person on motorcycle,
- $5.00 = Per bicycle
- Free = Children 6 and Under
Free Admission
- Native Americans
- Active Military
- Custer County Residents
- Boy or Girl Scout in Class A or Class B uniform
- Pre-approved certificates or passes for special event
- Children 6 and Under
- Black Hills & Badlands VIP Card
Admission Discount Days
Admission to the Memorial waived with a donation of 3 cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive for the following dates. Regular admission rate applies to visitors without food.
- May 19, 20, 21, 2017 – State Park Open House
- May 26 through May 29, 2017 - Memorial Day Weekend
- September 1 through September 4, 2017 - Labor Day Weekend
- October 9, 2017 - Native Americans’ Day