Mount Rushmore: when is the facade in the sun?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: Sun on the the four faces 06:45–12:55, most frontal around 08:15; golden light 06:45–07:50.
The sculpture faces south-east, so the four presidents are lit from sunrise to early afternoon. After that the faces fall into shade while the sky behind them is bright.
Fri 6 November 2026 · sunrise 06:39, sunset 16:39
Sun on the facade 06:45–12:55
Sun on the the four faces 06:45–12:55, most frontal around 08:15; golden light 06:45–07:50.
| Direct sun | Golden light | |
|---|---|---|
| The four faces faces south-east | 06:45–12:55 Most frontal 08:15 | 06:45–07:50 |
Hour by hour
| Time | The four faces |
|---|---|
| 06:30 | Dark |
| 07:00 | Golden light on the facade |
| 07:30 | Golden light on the facade |
| 08:00 | Full sun on the facade |
| 08:30 | Full sun on the facade |
| 09:00 | Full sun on the facade |
| 09:30 | Full sun on the facade |
| 10:00 | Full sun on the facade |
| 10:30 | Full sun on the facade |
| 11:00 | Full sun on the facade |
| 11:30 | Side light: strong relief |
| 12:00 | Side light: strong relief |
| 12:30 | Side light: strong relief |
| 13:00 | Grazing light: most of the facade in shade |
| 13:30 | Grazing light: most of the facade in shade |
| 14:00 | Grazing light: most of the facade in shade |
| 14:30 | In shade (sun behind the building) |
| 15:00 | In shade (sun behind the building) |
| 15:30 | In shade (sun behind the building) |
| 16:00 | In shade (sun behind the building) |
| 16:30 | In shade (sun behind the building) |
| 17:00 | Dark |
Plan it
Morning is best for photos. The evening lighting ceremony (late May to September) floodlights the faces after dark.
Through the year
| 15th of | The four faces |
|---|---|
| January | 07:35–13:25 |
| February | 07:00–13:20 |
| March | 07:15–14:05 |
| April | 06:20–13:45 |
| May | 05:40–13:30 |
| June | 05:40–13:30 |
| July | 05:40–13:40 |
| August | 06:05–13:45 |
| September | 06:40–13:45 |
| October | 07:20–13:50 |
| November | 07:00–13:00 |
| December | 07:30–13:15 |
Mount Rushmore light by month
Questions
What time is the sun on the Mount Rushmore facade?
6 Nov 2026: Sun on the the four faces 06:45–12:55, most frontal around 08:15; golden light 06:45–07:50. Pick your own date above; the window moves through the year.
Is Mount Rushmore better in the morning or the afternoon?
The the four faces faces south-east. On 15 June 2027 it is lit 05:40–13:30; on 15 December 2026, 07:30–13:15.
When is the golden light on Mount Rushmore?
On 6 November 2026, 06:45–07:50. Golden light needs the sun low and on the same side as the facade.
How is this calculated?
For every 5 minutes of the day we compute the sun's direction and height and compare it with the way the facade faces. Within 40° of straight on is full front light, 40° to 70° is side light that brings out the carving, and beyond that the facade is mostly in shade. Below 10° above the horizon the light is golden. Where cliffs or mountains stand in front of a facade, the sun also has to clear them.
Calculated from the sun's position and the facade's direction (estimated from maps and photos). Nearby buildings and trees can shade the lower part of a facade earlier than shown; clouds remove direct light altogether. Times are local (America/Denver).