Crazy Horse announces winter operating hours

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL – This week’s traffic lights change at Crazy Horse Memorial signals its shift to winter seasonal operations.

But work continues daily as weather permits, and at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, a blast on the world’s largest carving in progress will remove 2,589 tons from the horse’s head area.

Travelers on Crazy Horse Memorial Highway, U.S. 16/385 between Custer and Hill City, are advised that state highway crews have switched the intersection lights to flashing mode at the memorial’s entrance. Motorists leaving and entering the memorial must first stop, but other traffic continues under flashing amber caution lights.

During winter, the memorial is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including holidays, with the Laughing Water Restaurant open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and serving brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Weekend admission to the memorial through mid-June is free, with a suggested donation of three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive.

At dark nightly, spotlights illuminate the mountain carving for one hour. Admission to the parking lot is free during that period.

For more about the nonprofit Crazy Horse Memorial and its programs to honor Native Americans, call 673-4681.