Major city · United States
Kadoka
Skip as a destination: use it as a quick fuel-and-snack stop on I-90 between Wall and Rapid City, or a base for the Badlands Petrified Gardens (15 min).
Kadoka is a small town (pop. 654) on I-90 in the Badlands region of South Dakota. Its main draw is the Badlands Petrified Gardens, a roadside attraction open April–October. Most travellers pass through in 30 minutes; one night works if you want a cheap motel before entering Badlands National Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (most attractions closed)
- Airport
- RAP
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Kadoka911 ▾
- 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 Kadoka, 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.
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 1 h 15 min west on I-90).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (gas station or café)$2–4
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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 1 h 15 min west on I-90)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kadoka: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
4 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
4 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
You need a car. I-90 runs east–west; local roads are paved but sparse. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Badlands National Park
goDoor to door: About 40 min
I-90 east to Exit 131 (Pinnacles entrance), about 30 min
Entry fee per vehicle; plan at least 2 hours for the scenic drive.
Wall, South Dakota
goDoor to door: About 25 min
I-90 east, about 20 min
Wall Drug and the town's kitschy shops.
Rapid City
goDoor to door: About 1 h 20 min
I-90 west, about 1 h 15 min
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and downtown.
Custer
goDoor to door: About 1 h 40 min
US-16 west from Rapid City, about 1 h 30 min
Custer State Park and wildlife loop.
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.
I-90 Exit 150 area
Motels and fast food; convenient for a single night.
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
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Badlands Petrified Gardens entry2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Badlands NP entry per vehicle1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$39 |
| Trip total≈ US$215 per person per day, bed included | US$429 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (gas station or café) | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries | $8–12 |
| Motel double room | $70–150 |
| Petrol (per gallon)check | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Petrified Gardens closes for winter (check exact dates).
- No petrol stations in town after 22:00 (check).No petrol stations in town after 10:00 PM (check).
- Cell service can be patchy on the highway.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KadokaKadoka
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-90 from Kadoka to Rapid City: about 1 h 15 min, no toll
- I-90 from Kadoka to Wall: about 20 min
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the gas station? — Where is the petrol station?
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 Kadoka. 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 Nov–Mar (most attractions closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Badlands Petrified Gardens and the motel with verified hours and prices.
- Day-trip itineraries from Kadoka to Badlands NP and Wall.
- Seasonal closure calendar for the region.
Sources
Ask about Kadoka
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