Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a monumental sculpture under construction in the Black Hills of South Dakota, depicting the Lakota leader on horseback with his arm extended toward the horizon. The work is being carved from Thunderhead Mountain and measures about 172 meters (564 feet) in planned height, with the head alone standing 27 meters (87 feet) tall.

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began work in 1948 after Chief Henry Standing Bear invited him to create a monument honoring the history and dignity of Native Americans. Ziolkowski worked on the mountain until his death in 1982, after which his family and a team of helpers continued the project.

The site includes a museum and a cultural center where visitors can explore exhibits on indigenous traditions and everyday objects used by Native Americans. Educational programs and demonstrations offer insights into the way of life and craftsmanship that communities continue to preserve and share.

Visitors can watch the ongoing work from viewing areas that offer a clear look at the warrior's face and the changing mountainside. After controlled blasts, guests are sometimes allowed to collect small rock pieces as a souvenir taken directly from the stone.

When finished, the sculpture will be the largest mountain carving in the world, surpassing Mount Rushmore which lies about 13 miles (21 kilometers) away. The entire project is funded without government money, relying solely on private donations and visitor admission fees.

Location: Custer County

Inception: June 3, 1948

Architects: Korczak Ziolkowski

Creator: Korczak Ziolkowski

Height: 172 m

Website: https://crazyhorsememorial.org

GPS coordinates: 43.83629,-103.62305

Latest update: December 15, 2025 10:49