Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. The massive sculpture featuring the faces of four former U.S. presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – attracts nearly 3 million visitors every year. As a truly awe-inspiring and fascinating place, Mount Rushmore has inspired many riddles and brain teasers over the years. Below are 105 riddles about this famous monument along with their answers.
Riddles about Mount Rushmore’s Location and Geography
These riddles focus on where Mount Rushmore is located and the geographic features of the area.
Q: What U.S. state is Mount Rushmore located in?
A: South Dakota
Q: What mountain range is Mount Rushmore carved into?
A: The Black Hills
Q: What city is closest to Mount Rushmore?
A: Keystone, South Dakota
Q: True or false: Mount Rushmore is the highest peak in the Black Hills.
A: False (Harney Peak is the highest at 7,242 feet)
Q: About how tall is Mount Rushmore?
A: Around 5,725 feet
Q: What type of rock was Mount Rushmore carved into?
A: Granite
Q: What two rivers help form the Black Hills?
A: The Cheyenne River and the Belle Fourche River
Q: What large cave is found near Mount Rushmore?
A: Jewel Cave
Q: What Native American tribe considers the Black Hills sacred?
A: The Lakota Sioux
Riddles about Mount Rushmore’s Construction
Learn about how this incredible sculpture was built.
Q: Who was the main sculptor who worked on Mount Rushmore?
A: Gutzon Borglum
Q: What years was Mount Rushmore carved?
A: 1927 to 1941
Q: About how long did it take to carve Mount Rushmore?
A: 14 years
Q: How was the rock carved away?
A: Using dynamite and jackhammers
Q: Over 450,000 tons of rock were removed. True or false?
A: True
Q: What was used to hang the workers as they carved?
A: Cables and harnesses
Q: Who first conceptualized carving into the Black Hills?
A: Historian Doane Robinson
Q: Was Mount Rushmore completed as envisioned?
A: No, it was cut short due to funding problems.
Riddles about theFaces on Mount Rushmore
Test your knowledge on the four historic presidents depicted.
Q: Who was the first president carved on Mount Rushmore?
A: George Washington
Q: Which two presidents were added in 1937?
A: Jefferson and Lincoln
Q: Who was the final president carved?
A: Theodore Roosevelt
Q: What founding document did Thomas Jefferson write?
A: The Declaration of Independence
Q: Abraham Lincoln was president during which war?
A: The Civil War
Q: Which president is farthest to the right?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: What unique accessory does Roosevelt wear?
A: Glasses
Q: Which president never served two full terms?
A: Jefferson
Q: Who was the only president carved who was not a founding father?
A: Lincoln
Riddles about the Size and Scale of Mount Rushmore
Just how big is this mountainside sculpture?
Q: How tall are the president’s heads?
A: Around 60 feet tall
Q: How wide across is Abraham Lincoln’s head?
A: About 20 feet
Q: About how far up the mountain are the faces carved?
A: Around 500 feet
Q: How deep into the rock do the faces go?
A: About 12 feet
Q: If put end to end, how long would the full 60 foot heads be?
A: 240 feet
Q: Mount Rushmore faces which direction?
A: Southeast
Q: How much smaller would the carving look if it faced northeast?
A: About 25% smaller
Riddles about Mount Rushmore’s Purpose and History
Learn about why and how this monument came to be.
Q: What year was Mount Rushmore completed?
A: 1941
Q: What event happened in South Dakota the year Rushmore was finished?
A: The bombing of Pearl Harbor
Q: What was the original purpose for carving Mount Rushmore?
A: To attract tourists
Q: Who first proposed carving faces into the rock?
A: Historian Doane Robinson
Q: True or false: Mount Rushmore was carved by just one man.
A: False (Over 400 workers helped)
Q: What group performed the sacred pipe ceremony when work began?
A: The Lakota Sioux
Q: What president walked up Mount Rushmore to dedicate it?
A: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Riddles about Visiting and Viewing Mount Rushmore
Test your knowledge about the Mount Rushmore visitor experience.
Q: How many visitors come to Mount Rushmore each year?
A: Around 3 million people
Q: From what city can you take a scenic train ride to Rushmore?
A: Rapid City
Q: What time of day is best for viewing the monument?
A: Morning, when sunlight hits the sculpture faces directly
Q: Does admission to view Mount Rushmore cost money?
A: No, viewing the monument is free
Q: Where can you walk up close and touch the sculpture?
A: Nowhere – staying on the viewing trail is required
Q: What lights up the monument for nighttime viewing?
A: Stadium-style lights
Q: Can you hike to the top of Mount Rushmore?
A: No, only viewing from below is allowed
Fun and Humorous Mount Rushmore Riddles
These riddles add some humor and playfulness to learning about Mount Rushmore.
Q: Which president could use a bottle of Windex the most?
A: Washington (because “Washing-ton”)
Q: Why was Lincoln so nervous to get carved into stone?
A: He heard the job came with monumental stress.
Q: Why did George Washington have trouble sleeping at night?
A: He was tired of sitting on the faces of former presidents.
Q: Why does Teddy Roosevelt look so angry up there?
A: Because the contractors tried pulling one over on him and carved Mount Rushmore in South Dakota instead of North Dakota like they promised.
Q: What did Lincoln say to Washington when they first met at Mount Rushmore?
A: “Long time no see!”
Q: Why were Washington and Jefferson arguing up on the mountain?
A: They were having a big debate over cutting taxes.
Q: What did Teddy Roosevelt say when he first saw Mount Rushmore finished?
A: “This is SPAALendid!”
Q: Why was Teddy Roosevelt complaining to the sculptor?
A: He wanted his glasses carved bigger so he could “see for miles.”
Q: Why doesn’t Donald Trump’s face get added to Mount Rushmore?
A: Because the granite isn’t orange enough.
Tricky Mount Rushmore Riddles
Stretch your Mount Rushmore knowledge with these tricky stumpers.
Q: Which president never served as Vice President?
A: Theodore Roosevelt
Q: Whose face is furthest left on the mountain?
A: Thomas Jefferson
Q: Which president was the only one to serve two non-consecutive terms?
A: Grover Cleveland
Q: Which president is on the penny?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: Who was Reagan’s Vice President?
A: George H.W. Bush
Q: Who was JFK’s Vice President who became president?
A: Lyndon B. Johnson
Q: Which president wrote the Gettysburg Address?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: Who was president during World War I?
A: Woodrow Wilson
Q: Which president served only 32 days in office?
A: William Henry Harrison
Q: Who was the only unmarried president?
A: James Buchanan
Mount Rushmore Riddles for Kids
Enjoy these family friendly riddles for teaching kids about Mount Rushmore.
Q: What color is Mount Rushmore?
A: Grayish white from the granite
Q: What sport did George Washington love playing?
A: Horseback riding
Q: Who was Lincoln’s main opponent in the Civil War?
A: General Robert E. Lee
Q: What animal symbolizes the Republican Party?
A: The elephant
Q: What did Theodore Roosevelt Ban in the early 1900s?
A: Child labor
Q: How many total men were U.S. presidents?
A: All 45 have been male so far
Q: Who was the tallest president at a towering 6’4″?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: Which president appears on the $1 bill?
A: George Washington
Q: Which president was shot while giving a speech?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: Who is called the “Father of our Country”?
A: George Washington
Mount Rushmore Riddles for Presidents Day
Celebrate Presidents Day with these holiday-themed riddles.
Q: Presidents Day is in February. What number day of the month?
A: The 3rd Monday in February
Q: Originally Presidents Day honored just one president. Who?
A: George Washington
Q: Whose birthday is also celebrated on Presidents Day?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: Which president served the shortest term ever?
A: William Henry Harrison at just 32 days
Q: Which First Lady went on to be First Lady again years later?
A: Edith Wilson (married Woodrow Wilson, then later married Calvin Coolidge)
Q: Which president also became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
A: William Howard Taft
Q: Who was the only president elected 4 times?
A: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Q: Which president did not belong to a political party?
A: George Washington
Q: Who was the only Catholic president?
A: John F. Kennedy
Q: Which president served in WWI before becoming president?
A: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 105 riddles about the majestic Mount Rushmore. This famous American treasure has inspired so many fascinating questions and answers about history, geography, construction and more. Whether you are an adult learning new facts, or want to share this riddle collection with kids, it’s a great way to build knowledge about Mount Rushmore in a fun and engaging way.
So next time you visit this awe-inspiring monument or see it pictured, remember all you’ve learned from these riddles. And let them inspire you to go deeper into the stories of the men carved into the mountain and the workers who brought this massive sculpture to life. There’s always more to learn about Mount Rushmore!
