1. Crazy Horse Memorial and Mountain Statue<br>June 21, 2025

1. Crazy Horse Memorial and Mountain Statue
June 21, 2025

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Introduction

The first major objective on our South Dakota family trip was Crazy Horse Memorial and Mountain Sculpture. We had reserve tickets for the bus tour to the top of the statue. It was a most amazing experience with only 7 other guests plus our guide at the top, unlike our crowded visit on the Volksmarch on June 2, 2002. Plus, this time we rode up in a bus rather than hiking up.

Some Interesting Facts

1943-45 Korczak Ziolkowski volunteers at age 34 for service in WWII, lands on Omaha beach and suffers wounds
1946 Korczak and Chief Henry Standing Bear pick out Thunderbird Mountain in the Black hills for the statue of Crazy Horse
May 3, 1947 Korczak at 38 arrives at Crazy Horse, lives in a tent while building a studio-home and decides to carve the entire 600-foot mountain in the round
Korczak worked briefly as an assistant sculpture on Mount Rushmore
Memorial is dedicated June 3rd, 1948 with first blast on mountain, which takes off only 10 tons.
Crazy Horse is the largest 3D sculpture in the world.
When the opening under the arm is finished full-size, all of the Mount Rushmore carving would fit inside it.
The statue is 563 ft. high, the feather on top will be 44 ft., the head is 87.5 ft. high, the arm is 227 ft. long. the hand is 33 ft; long.
The horse's head is 219 ft. high, The mane is 62 ft. high and the opening under the arm will be 110 ft. wide by 100 ft. high.
The 1/34th scale plaster model was made in 1964-65 by the original sculpture, Korczak Ziolkowski, and weighs 16 tons. It is 1 mile distant from the mountain.

With this trip, Cathy and Joe R. have visited Crazy Horse Memorial 6 times over the past 50 years. Be sure to check out our history of Crazy Horse Memorial Mountain Sculpture - 50 Years of Visits 1975-2025.

View more recent photos at their website at: CrazyHorseMemorial.org and their FaceBook page at: Facebook.com/crazyhorsememorial.

Cathy & Joe R.

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Map Crazy Horse

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Map Crazy Horse Visitor Complex

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Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#1 - June 21, 2025 - We approach Crazy Horse Memorial and Mountain Sculpture on the entrance road. It is about 2 miles away.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#2 - June 21, 2025 - The Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture from the parking lot.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#3 - June 21, 2025 - A zoom shot of the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture from the parking lot.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#4 - June 21, 2025 - A closer zoom shot of the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture from the parking lot.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#5 - June 21, 2025 - We are on the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex with the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture about one mile away.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#6 - June 21, 2025 - On the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, Cathy and Holt in front of the 1/34 scale, 16-ton plaster model made by the sculptor himself, Korczak Ziolkowski, with the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture about one mile away.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#7 - June 21, 2025 - On the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, Cathy and Holt in front of the 1/34 scale, 16-ton plaster model made by the sculptor himself, Korczak Ziolkowski.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#8 - June 21, 2025 - On the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, Grampy, Grammy, Holt and Joe A. in front of the 1/34 scale, 16-ton plaster model made by the sculptor himself, Korczak Ziolkowski, with the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture about one mile away.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#9 - June 21, 2025 - On our tour bus with 7 other guests on our way up to the top. Notice the crane, second largest in the U.S., which was just installed into the rock in May.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#10 - June 21, 2025 - On our tour bus with 7 other guests on our way up to the top. Notice the crane, second largest in the U.S., which was just installed into the rock in May.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#11 - June 21, 2025 - On top of the shoulder, just behind the head, here is the crane, second largest in the U.S., which was just installed into the rock in May. It will be used to lift equipment and large rocks. Soon they will install a computer controlled robotic sculptor machine that will work unattended 24/7 to make significant progress over the next 5 years.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#12 - June 21, 2025 - Joe A., Holt and Cathy on top of the shoulder, just behind the head, with the crane behind them..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#13 - June 21, 2025 - Joe A., and Holt on top of the shoulder, just behind the head, with the crane behind them..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#14 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy and Holt on top of the shoulder, on the side of the head..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#15 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy and Holt look up at the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#16 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy and Holt walk toward the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#17 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy and Holt at the chin of the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#18 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy and Holt at the chin of the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#19 - June 21, 2025 - Holt at the chin of the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#20 - June 21, 2025 - Holt touches the chin of the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#21 - June 21, 2025 - Holt touches the chin of the massive head which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#22 - June 21, 2025 - Profile view of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#23 - June 21, 2025 - A view of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#24 - June 21, 2025 - A view of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#25 - June 21, 2025 - A view of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#26 - June 21, 2025 - Cathy, Holt and Joe A. in front of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#27 - June 21, 2025 - Grammy, Holt and Grampy in front of the massive head of the Crazy Horse sculpture, which is 87 ft. 6 in. (8 stories) tall..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#28 - June 21, 2025 - A view to the right from the top of the outstretched arm of the Crazy Horse sculpture with the Crazy Horse Memorial complex below.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#29 - June 21, 2025 - A view to the right from the top of the outstretched arm of the Crazy Horse sculpture with the Crazy Horse Memorial complex below.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#30 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking over outstretched arm to the pointing hand with the Crazy Horse Memorial complex to the right below.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#31 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking over outstretched arm to the pointing hand of Crazy Horse.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#32 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking over the pointing hand of Crazy Horse.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#33 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking over the left side of the pointing hand of Crazy Horse. He is pointing in the distance to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where he was incarcerarted and killed by a soldier around midnight on September 5, 1877.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#34 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking over the top of the pointing hand of Crazy Horse. He is pointing in the distance to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where he was incarcerarted and killed by a soldier around midnight on September 5, 1877.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#35 - June 21, 2025 - A view of Crazy Horse's face looking over the left side of the arm.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#36 - June 21, 2025 - A view of Crazy Horse's face looking over the top of the outstretched arm.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#37 - June 21, 2025 - A view of Crazy Horse's face looking over the top of the outstretched arm.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#38 - June 21, 2025 - A view of Crazy Horse's face looking over the top of the outstretched arm.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#39 - June 21, 2025 - Our tour guide, Jim, telling our group facts and history of the Crazy Horse Memorial and mountain sculpture as Holt and Grammy intenly listen.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#40 - June 21, 2025 - Our tour guide, Jim, telling our group facts and history of the Crazy Horse Memorial and mountain sculpture as Holt and Grammy intenly listen.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#41 - June 21, 2025 - Holt and Grammy standing on top of the outstretched arm of the Crazy Horse mountain sculpture.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#42 - June 21, 2025 - Holt, Grammy, Grampy and Joe A. standing on top of the outstretched arm of the Crazy Horse mountain sculpture.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#43 - June 21, 2025 - Our tour group heading back to the bus.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#44 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking up the right side of Crazy Horse's face.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#45 - June 21, 2025 - A view looking up the face of Crazy Horse. Holt says "two or three of me could fit up one of those nostrils!".

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#46 - June 21, 2025 - On the left shoulder of the statue, where our tour bus was parked, we were allowed to take some souvenir blasting fragments home..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#47 - June 21, 2025 - On the left shoulder of the statue, where our tour bus was parked, we were allowed to take some souvenir blasting fragments home..

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#48 - June 21, 2025 - Also on the left shoulder of the statue, where our tour bus was parked, we saw this large rock which was used to practice carving of the finger nails...

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#49 - June 21, 2025 - As we get back down to the base of the statue, we see a view of where we came from.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#50 - June 21, 2025 - As we get back down to the base of the statue, we see a view of where we came from.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#51 - June 21, 2025 - As we get back down to the base of the statue, we see a view of where we came from.

#52 - June 21, 2025 - A panoramic view of the Crazy Horse Memorial Welcome Center and complex, including the sculpture's original home and studio and the Indian Museum.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#53 - June 21, 2025 - The Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio. This 46 feet long and 8 to 10 feet high steel gates with 270 brass silhouettes of animals were created by famous Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#54 - June 21, 2025 - The Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio. This 46 feet long and 8 to 10 feet high steel gates with 270 brass silhouettes of animals were created by famous Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#55 - June 21, 2025 - The Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio. This 46 feet long and 8 to 10 feet high steel gates with 270 brass silhouettes of animals were created by famous Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#56 - June 21, 2025 - Left side of the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio. This 46 feet long and 8 to 10 feet high steel gates with 270 brass silhouettes of animals were created by famous Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#57 - June 21, 2025 - Joe A. likes the wolf on the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#58 - June 21, 2025 - A wolf on te Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#59 - June 21, 2025 - Another wolf on the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#60 - June 21, 2025 - Joe A. REALLY likes the Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur on te Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe A. Luciano

#61 - June 21, 2025 - The Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur on the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#62 - June 21, 2025 - Holt likes the Brontosaurus dinosaur on the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#63 - June 21, 2025 - Holt's favorite is the Otter on the Black Hills Nature Gate in front of the sculpture's home and studio.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#64 - June 21, 2025 - Grammy, Holt and Joe A. about to enter the sculptor's studio home and workshop and the Native American Cultural Center.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#65 - June 21, 2025 - A bronze cast of an original sculpture of "Wild Bill" Hickok by Korczak Ziolkowski outside the entrance to the sculptor's studio home and workshop and the Native American Cultural Center.

#66 -

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#67 - June 21, 2025 - Inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#68 - June 21, 2025 - Paintings of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, displays and a grand piano Inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#69 - June 21, 2025 - A grand piano. paintings of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, and his wife, Ruth, and displays inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#70 - June 21, 2025 - Holt, Grammy and Joe A. view sculptures by Korczak Ziolkowski and displays inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#71 - June 21, 2025 - Holt, Grammy and Joe A. view sculptures by Korczak Ziolkowski and displays inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#72 - June 21, 2025 - Holt, Joe A. and Grammy view sculptures by Korczak Ziolkowski, a painting od his wife, Ruth, and displays inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#73 - June 21, 2025 - Paintings of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, and his wife, Ruth, and displays inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#74 - June 21, 2025 - Painting of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#75 - June 21, 2025 - Painting of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, wife, Ruth, inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#76 - June 21, 2025 - Painting of the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, at work.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#77 - June 21, 2025 - A small model sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#78 - June 21, 2025 - Wooden sculpture of a horse's head by Korczak Ziolkowski inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

#79 -

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#80 - June 21, 2025 - Wooden sculpture of Old Pagan by Korczak Ziolkowski inside the sculptor's studio home and workshop.

#81 -

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#82 - June 21, 2025 - On the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex with the mountain statue about a mile distant, Grammy, wearing her medal from the Crazy Horse Volksmarch on June 1, 2002, Joe A. and Holt.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#83 - June 21, 2025 - On the patio of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex with the mountain statue about a mile distant, Grammy and Grampy, wearing their medals from the Crazy Horse Volksmarch on June 1, 2002, and Holt.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#84 - June 21, 2025 - In the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center in the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, we see Native American cultural Art.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#85 - June 21, 2025 - In the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center in the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, Holt is in a Native American teepee.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#86 - June 21, 2025 - In the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center in the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, we see beaded horse regalia.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#87 - June 21, 2025 - In the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center in the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, we see beaded horse regalia.

Photo by Joe R. Luciano

#88 - June 21, 2025 - In the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center in the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, Holt in front of the display of beaded horse regalia.

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