Major city · United States
KeystoneKeystone, South Dakota
Half a day to see Mount Rushmore and the town's tourist strip; one night if you want a relaxed pace or to add the tramway and gold mine.
Keystone is the gateway town for Mount Rushmore, packed with motels, fudge shops and wax museums. It works as a quick stop for the monument or a single-night base for the southern Black Hills, but the town itself is a tourist strip with little character.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airport
- RAP
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Keystone911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Keystone, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; watch for traffic on Main Street and wildlife on roads at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRAP Rapid City Regional Airport (About 35 min drive; rental cars available).
- Getting aroundWalkable on Main Street; a car is needed for Mount Rushmore (1.5 km (0.9 mi)) and other Black Hills sights.Walkable on Main Street; a car is needed for Mount Rushmore (0.9 mi (1.5 km)) and other Black Hills sights.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- BeerBeer (pint)$5–8
- Budget bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RAP Rapid City Regional Airport (About 35 min drive; rental cars available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest Jun (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Keystone: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
5 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable on Main Street; a car is needed for Mount Rushmore (1.5 km) and other Black Hills sights.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
goDoor to door: 10 min drive, 25 min walk
Drive 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south on US-16A; walk from KeystoneDrive 0.9 mi (1.5 km) south on US-16A; walk from Keystone
Free entry; parking fee about $10. Go at sunrise or sunset for fewer crowds.
Custer
goDoor to door: 25 min
Drive west on US-16A, about 20 min
Custer State Park and wildlife loop; allow half a day.
Rapid City
goDoor to door: 40 min
Drive east on US-16A / US-16, about 35 min
Downtown, museums and the Dinosaur Park.
Hill City
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive west on US-16A, about 15 min
1880 Train, galleries and quieter dining.
Deadwood
goDoor to door: 50 min
Drive north via US-385, about 45 min
Historic gambling town; full day if you include the casinos.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street / US-16A corridor
Most motels and lodges; walkable to restaurants and attractions.
Old Hill City Road
Quieter, with views; K Bar S Lodge is here.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Mount Rushmore parking fee1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Rushmore Tramway (check)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger and fries | $12–18 |
| Beer (pint) | $5–8 |
| Motel double room (summer) | $100–200 |
| Mount Rushmore parking | $10 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mount Rushmore parking fills by mid-morning in summer; arrive before 9:00 or after 16:00.Mount Rushmore parking fills by mid-morning in summer; arrive before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.
- Keystone is a tourist trap: expect high prices and crowds in July and August.
- Many attractions close by late September; check hours before visiting in spring or fall.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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KeystoneKeystone, South Dakota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Embassies are in Washington, DC; consulates in major cities like Chicago or Denver.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rapid City Airport → Keystone: about $40–60 by taxi or rideshare, 35 min (check)
- Keystone → Mount Rushmore: free walk or short drive; parking $10
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Keystone. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Keystone
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