Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2024]

Empty Lighthouse is a reader-supported site. This article may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other sites. We earn a commission on purchases made through these links.

Ready to pack for Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America? If you're planning to go to Keystone, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

When to go to Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America

Based on the climate and weather in Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America, the best time to go is August. See below for details.

What to wear/what to pack for Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America

Already know when you're traveling?

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Keystone, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

What to wear/what to pack for Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America by month

January

If you go to Keystone in January, you will notice that it is frosty. Daytime temperatures are in the 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines repeatedly losing bags nowadays, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large prices for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Voltage adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to find the correct type. Many adapters currently available are simply plugs and expect your devices to change the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get fried. This one should be appropriate for most locations.

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel neck pillow

    Our fave is this one

February

February in this region is cold. Temperatures average in the low 40s F (single digits C) during the day. It rains or snows occasionally.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines repeatedly losing bags recently, an AirTag can find it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive penalties for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Travel neck pillow

    A great choice is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Plug adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. It's important that you get the necessary kind. The majority of adapters currently being sold are just plugs and expect your devices to change the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get destroyed. This one is sufficent for most locations.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

March

March in Keystone can be very chilly. Temperatures average in the 40s F (single digits C) during the day. It rains or snows sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines repeatedly losing bags nowadays, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive prices for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Travel neck support pillow

    Our favorite is this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be sure to find the right type. A lot of adapters currently available are simply plugs and require your devices to change the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get fried. This one should be sufficient for most countries.

April

April in Keystone is cold. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 20s F (single digits below 0 C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports always losing bags these days, an AirTag can help you locate it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A good option is this one

  • Travel voltage adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to get the right kind. A lot of adapters currently being sold are just plug changers and require your electronics to convert the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could burn up. This one should be appropriate for most locations.

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

May

In May, Keystone is cool. Temperatures routinely are in the low 60s F (high 10s C) range. At night, lows are in the high 30s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Keystone, with several of the days of the month having rain.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports always losing luggage these days, an AirTag can locate it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel voltage adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be careful to find the correct type. The majority of adapters that you can buy are simply plugs and require your devices to convert the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could get fried. This one is sufficent for most areas.

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel pillow

    Our fave is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive penalties for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

June

If you visit Keystone during June, you might see that it is balmy. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 40s F (single digits C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports always losing bags recently, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere on earth: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be careful to choose the right type. A lot of adapters available are just plugs and expect your devices to change the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get destroyed. This one is sufficent for most places.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large amounts for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A great choice is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

July

July in Keystone is warm. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains 5-10 days this month.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports frequently losing luggage these days, an AirTag can locate it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to get the necessary type. The majority of adapters available online are simply plugs and require your devices to change the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get fried. This one should be sufficient for most locations.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive penalties for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

August

Traveling to Keystone in August, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines constantly losing luggage these days, an AirTag can find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. It's important that you choose the correct type. The majority of adapters currently available are simply plugs and require your devices to convert the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could get fried. This one is sufficent for most countries.

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large penalties for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

September

September in Keystone is balmy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 50s F (low 10s C) to low 70s F (low 20s C), although night temperatures can dip into the low 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines repeatedly losing luggage nowadays, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge huge amounts for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A good option is this one

  • Plug adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. It's important that you pick the correct type. A lot of adapters that you can buy are just plug changers and require your electronics to change the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could burn up. This one works in most areas.

October

October in Keystone can be chilly. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 40s F (single digits C) to high 50s F (mid 10s C), although night temperatures can dip into the single digits F (10+ below zero C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports repeatedly losing luggage these days, an AirTag can locate it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to find the right kind. The vast majority of adapters currently sold are just plugs and expect your devices to adjust the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could burn up. This one should work in most countries.

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A great choice is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

November

November in Keystone can be brisk. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 10s F (single digits below 0 C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines constantly losing things these days, an AirTag can find it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. It's important that you find the necessary type. Many adapters currently available are simply plugs and expect your electronics to convert the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get fried. This one should be appropriate for most locations.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel neck pillow

    Our fave is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge huge penalties for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

December

If you are traveling to Keystone in December, you will notice that it is brisk. Daytime temperatures are in the high 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Keystone. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines always losing things recently, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

  • Travel pillow

    An excellent option is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to pick the right type. The vast majority of adapters currently sold are simply plugs and require your electronics to change the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get destroyed. This one should be sufficient for most places.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

What to do in Keystone, South Dakota, United States of America

Keystone, South Dakota may be a small town, but it is packed with historic and natural beauty that makes it irresistible for tourists. A visit to Keystone offers a chance to experience the greatness of the Black Hills, witness the making of a presidential icon, and explore the Wild West legends.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the most popular tourist attraction in Keystone, South Dakota, and for a good reason. It is the sculptural masterpiece that features the faces of four of America's greatest presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The massive carvings, which took nearly 14 years to complete, are a testament to the preservation of America's history and ideals. Visitors to Mount Rushmore can explore the park, visit the Sculptor's Studio or watch the evening lighting ceremony.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Just a few miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the Crazy Horse Memorial. The monument to the famous Lakota warrior commemorates his life and Native American culture. The colossal rock sculpture is still under construction, but it is expected to be the largest in the world when completed. Visitors to the Crazy Horse Memorial can enjoy the museums, cultural and educational events, and the opportunity to witness the progress of the carving.

Keystone Historic District

Keystone Historic District is a charming, preserved mining town with historic buildings that date back to the late 1800s. The town's narrow streets and wooden-boardwalk sidewalks are lined with shops, boutiques, and restaurants, showcasing the area's western heritage. Visitors can also take a train ride around the town or pan for gold at the nearby gold mine.

Black Hills Central Railroad

The Black Hills Central Railroad is a historic train that takes visitors on a scenic ride through the beautiful Black Hills. Visitors can choose from several train excursions ranging in length from one hour to a full day. The train experience includes a narrated tour of the area with information about the geology, wildlife, and history of the region.

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills National Forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the natural beauty of South Dakota. The forest offers miles of hiking and biking trails, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and rock climbing opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the forest, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

Conclusion

Keystone, South Dakota offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to explore the area's natural wonders, historic sites, and Wild West legacies. The town's proximity to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial offers visitors a chance to experience two of the nation's top attractions. Whether you're looking for an immersive outdoor adventure, a history lesson, or just a peaceful escape, Keystone has it all.

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

Check out our guides for these other locations: Bajothang, Bhutan, Nat Ma Taung, Myanmar, Llandudno Junction, Wales, United Kingdom, Boca Chica, Panama, Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Texas, United States of America, Hlane Royal National Park, Swaziland, Wuzhou, China, Galle, Sri Lanka, Ballyvaughan, Ireland, Marburg, Germany, and Hanko, Finland.