Belle Fourche, South Dakota travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Belle Fourche (pronounced behl FOOSH) is a city in the Badlands and Black Hills region of South Dakota. It is the closest settlement to the geographic center of all 50 states of the United States (the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is in Lebanon, Kansas).

2 sights · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Belle Fourche

Geographic Center of the Nation Monument

A 21 foot diameter etched granite structure in front of the town's visitor information center and museum, honoring Belle Fourche as the town closest to the center of the nation.

The actual geographic center of the nation

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 8°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Devils Tower National Monument)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
RAP Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City — 58 mi away. Directions
GCC Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport, Gillette — 86 mi away. Directions

Belle Fourche is at the junction of US Highways 85 and 212.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Geographic Center of the Nation Monument
Lunch China Garden Restaurant
Afternoon The actual geographic center of the nation
Dinner Rancho Los Agaves
Evening Hitching Post Tap House

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

Belle Fourche is at the junction of US Highways 85 and 212.

By plane

Go Belle Fourche Municipal Airport

FAA code EFC. General aviation only, no scheduled service.

Checked Feb 2023

Maps

See

See Geographic Center of the Nation Monument

A 21 foot diameter etched granite structure in front of the town's visitor information center and museum, honoring Belle Fourche as the town closest to the center of the nation.

📍 415 5th Ave☎ +1 605 892-2676

Maps Website

See The actual geographic center of the nation

The actual geographic center is located on private property outside of town. On the pasture there is a US flag and a geographic survey marker that marks the center of the nation. The ranch owner allows visitors to reach this spot, but you will have to climb through a barbed wire fence and dodge cow pies and snakes to get to it. He didn't want a larger monument to be developed on his property, which is why the monument was built in Belle Fourche proper.

Drive north on US Hwy 85 about 13 miles, turn left onto Old Hwy 85 (marked by a small blue sign with white lettering), and drive another 7.8 miles until you see a barn on the left. On the right side of the road is a sign

Maps