Kadoka

Kadoka combines local history and a connection to the Badlands with a distinctive golf course, the family-owned Badlands Distillery, and recreational facilities in the city park. This gives you a range of options for planning your trip: the Kadoka Depot as a museum, the golf course with sand greens, local spirits, and a rodeo in June. There is also the Eastern Scenic Loop, which heads south from Kadoka into a basin outside the park. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kadoka, these themes can help you shape your stay around your interests.

Local History and Landmarks

The name Kadoka comes from “Hodoka” and means “Hole in the Wall.” The name refers to the town’s location at the entrance to a gap in the Badlands. In this way, the town’s name is directly tied to the landscape. The Kadoka Depot adds a specific building to this historical connection: it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now serves as a museum. The town’s name and the depot offer two different points of reference—one through the landscape, the other through a listed historic building that serves as a museum.

“Scrappy,” a rustic metal deer sculpture, stands at the rest area next to the Discount Fuel Sinclair station in Kadoka. It offers a different point of interest from the depot and golf course: here, a single sculpture is the focal point. If you’re interested in unusual local landmarks, it makes for a distinctive visual impression of Kadoka.

Golf and Spirits in Kadoka

The Kadoka Golf Course has nine holes and is one of the last sand-green golf courses in the country. It is located at Kadoka Airport on Airport Road, at the southeastern edge of town. Its number of holes and sand greens make it a distinctive golf destination in Kadoka.

Badlands Distillery is a family-owned business in Kadoka that makes craft spirits. Its tasting room is at 425 SD Hwy 73. Offerings include complimentary tastings, tours, and spirits for sale. Operating details may change, so check current visiting hours in advance. At the distillery, the focus is on production as well as tastings, tours, and sales.

City Park, Scenic Route, and June Rodeo

The city park is one block from Main Street. Its facilities include swings, playground equipment, basketball hoops, and a swimming pool. It brings together a range of recreational activities in one place. The pool’s operating schedule may vary by season, so check current hours if you’re planning a swim. For orientation, there are two distinct reference points: Main Street for the park, and Airport Road and the southeastern edge of town for the golf course.

The Eastern Scenic Loop from Kadoka includes a southbound drive on Highway 73 into the basin outside the park. The route offers a scenic focus, while the depot, golf course, and city park are specific places in Kadoka.

The rodeo grounds in Kadoka host the Buffalo Stampede PRCA Rodeo, held every June. If you’re planning your trip around the rodeo, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Interior

For the broader travel overview: Jackson County.