Crazy Horse Volksmarch

June 5th - 6th

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.

The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is the most popular organized hike in the United States (15,000 in record year). This family event is sponsored by the American Volkssport Association' s (AVA) Black Hills Chapter and hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial. This is 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, which was completed June 3, 1998. Hikers get an up-close view of the mountain. Work continues on the rest of what will be the largest sculpture in the world.

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 AVA 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 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 6-7, and serves lunch, dinner. The snack shop is also 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 and visit with Native American artists creating arts and crafts in the musuems and cultural center.