The Marker climbing area at Mt Rushmore is a little difficult to give directions for. Best to find a Mount Rushmore map of the climbing areas. They are available for free at Mt. Rushmore or go to their website to order one. Basically though, the Marker area is the tall granite masses to the north side of highway 244 about a mile east of the Black Hills Forest entrance sign. There is a Mount Rushmore Climber Registration station just off the pull off where you park at a wide spot in the road. The routes here are often nice and long, so bring 2 ropes and a bunch of quick draws.

Select climbing routes of the area.

Star Dancer: 5.8 This route lays on the eastern edge of the Marker area on its border with the Monster area. From the Mount Rushmore climbers registration, head up hill on a climber trail. Just below where the trail tops out on a small saddle you will notice a line of bolts that is so popular the rock is actually worn to a lighter color. There will most likely be a party there to ask if you are in the right place or not. Head up the line of bolts and be prepared for some hard climbing near the top.

Tenny-shoe slide: 5.6 If you are looking to start on something a little easier, find this route uphill from Star Dancer above a small chimney that separates the 2 faces. There is around 8 bolts to mark the way to a set of anchors. A 200M rope will just make it back down.

Crystal Shard 5.10

Rum and Cole 5.10

Weird Water 5.7

Don't Stahl 5.10

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