The carving is being created entirely without federal or state government funding.
Korczak Ziolkowski previously assisted Gutzon Borglum on the carving of Mount Rushmore before embarking on this project.
The face of Crazy Horse is 87 feet, 6 inches tall, making it larger than any of the heads on Mount Rushmore.
The project was envisioned by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, who famously wrote, 'My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes, too.'
The memorial is located on land that is considered sacred by the Oglala Lakota people.
Over 10 million tons of rock have been removed from the mountain since 1948.
The site operates as a repository for Native American history, housing a collection of over 12,000 contemporary and historic pieces.
The carving utilizes a 1:30 scale model developed by Ziolkowski as its master reference.
Controlled blasts occur on the mountain, often timed to celebrate specific dates or events.
The Ziolkowski family continues to live on the property and manage the ongoing construction efforts.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain carving project in the Black Hills of South Dakota, initiated in 1948 to honor the Lakota leader Crazy Horse. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began the work at the invitation of Chief Henry Standing Bear, aiming to create a memorial that serves both as a tribute and a cultural center. The sculpture is designed to reach 563 feet high and 641 feet long once finished, depicting Crazy Horse pointing toward his lands. The memorial site currently features the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and the sculptor's original studio. As a private, non-profit project, it intentionally refuses federal and state funding to maintain independence. Visitors can access a viewing deck for direct sightlines of the mountain, and seasonal bus tours transport guests to the base of the carving. The carving process involves controlled blasting and precision measurement, with the face being the only completed section thus far. Extensive documentation of the construction progress and the Ziolkowski family's commitment is archived on-site. The site remains a private endeavor overseen by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.
The Viewing Deck directly behind the Welcome Center offers the most stable and centered perspective of the carving.
Arrive early to view the mountain when the morning sun illuminates the face clearly.
Take the bus tour to the base of the carving to see the scale and recent drilling work up close.
Allocate time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, as it contains extensive cultural exhibits beyond the mountain carving itself.
Do not attempt to hike up the mountain, as unauthorized climbing is strictly prohibited for safety and legal reasons.
The memorial is open year-round, but access to the base of the mountain via bus tour is seasonal and weather-dependent.
Respectful and quiet demeanor is expected inside the museum and near memorial areas.
