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Hike up Crazy Horse carving
held first full weekend in June
Held now for more than two decades, the annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch (an organized hike) is a 10K (6.2-mile) woodlands ramble to the world's largest mountain carving in progress.
This event is the most popular of its kind in the U.S., drawing up to 15,000 participants. It is the only time each year (weather permitting) the public can walk to the mountain carving in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota.
The hike’s turn-around point is on the outstretched arm directly in front of the carved face of Crazy Horse. Hikers get an up-close view of the mountain work that is blocking out the 22-story-high horse's head.
No Advance Registration or Pets
There is no advance registration, but every hiker must check in at the starting point. The Memorial gates open at 6 a.m., and the hike starts between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. Hikers must register by 1 p.m. and be off the trail by 4 p.m. No pets of any kind are allowed on the trail.
The newly expanded Laughing Water Restaurant at the Memorial opens for breakfast at 6 a.m. for the Volksmarch, and serves lunch and dinner. The snack shop also is open. Coffee is always free at Crazy Horse Memorial.
23rd annual Volksmarch Saturday & Sunday, June 7-8, 2008
What: Most popular organized hike in the U. S. (15,000 in record year).
A family event sponsored by the American Volkssport Association' s Black Hills Chapter and
hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial. The only time each year the public may
hike
to the mountain carving-in-progress.
Where: On dirt trails and gravel work roads up the Crazy Horse mountain carving in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Turn-around point is on the arm of Crazy Horse directly in front of the nine-story-high face, completed June 3, 1998. Work continues on the rest of what will be the largest sculpture in the world.
When: Saturday & Sunday, June 7-8, 2008 (when Memorial gates open at 6 a.m.) Access to the trail and the mountain depends on the weather.
Admission: FREE to the Memorial for Volksmarchers, with a suggested donation of three cans of food per person, to benefit the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive. The hike fee is $3 for each participant (all ages). Special medal, commemorative shirt and official AVA credit is an additional charge. Hikers are welcome to visit the large Crazy Horse visitor complex without charge. Coffee is always free at Crazy Horse Memorial.
Starting times: Between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Hikers must register before 1 p.m. and be off the trail by 4 p.m. Camping is available at the Memorial, at facilities near Heritage Village, 1 mile south of the Memorial's entrance. The campground overlooks the mountain carving.
Registration: No advance registration. Hikers must check in at starting point.
Parking: FREE. Due to the popularity of the event, parking can be some distance from the starting point and not on paved or gravel surfaces.
Restaurant: The Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy Horse opens for breakfast at 6 a.m. on June 7-8, and serves lunch, dinner. The snack shop also is open.
Trail length: 10K (6.2 miles round trip). Hike is on hilly, rough terrain with some steep inclines; not suitable for strollers. From the valley the trail rises about 500 feet up to the mountain.
Time on trail: Averages two to four hours. Hikers should pace themselves due to the terrain and peak elevation (6,700 feet above sea level). Sturdy footwear is recommended.
NO PETS: Pets of all kinds are prohibited on the trail.
Crazy Horse Memorial orientation: Before or after your hike, don't miss the short DVD Dynamite & Dreams playing in the twin theaters in the Welcome Center. See the Indian Museum of North America, Sculptor's Studio / Home Workshop and the Cultural Center. Meet Native American artists creating arts and crafts.
For more information, contact Crazy Horse Memorial: Phone (605) 673-4681 FAX (605) 673-2185 E-mail: memorial@crazyhorse.org