Overview
Center is a town in Western North Dakota, about 40 miles northwest of Bismarck and Mandan. It has a population of about 678 people. Located just north of Nelson Lake, on Butte Creek.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Center
Cross Ranch State Park
12 miles southeast, is sited on seven miles of undeveloped Missouri river.
Center Mine
This coal-mining operation is located 2 miles east, 4 miles south of Center in the powerbelt area of North Dakota. Open Monday through Friday, by appointment only.
Milton R. Young Electric Power Generating Station
Groups of five or fewer can contact plant directly, through Minnkota Power. Monday through Friday, by appointment only.
Oliver County Fair
Usually in August.
River People's Visitor's Center
In Cross Ranch State Park, provides informative presentations on the natural history of the Missouri River Valley and the inhabitants of the area over the past millennium. By appointment only.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 4°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Minot)
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.
- BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport, Bismarck — 35 mi away. Directions
- DIK Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport, Dickinson — 74 mi away. Directions
From I-94, exit 127 north onto state highway 31 for about 17 miles, then east 5 miles on SH 25.
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 Cross Ranch State Park, Center Mine, Milton R. Young Electric Power Generating Station
- Afternoon Oliver County Fair, River People's Visitor's Center
- Evening Lee's Bar
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.
Understand
Center celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2005 with the Old Settlers Days.
Get in
By car
From I-94, exit 127 north onto state highway 31 for about 17 miles, then east 5 miles on SH 25.
See
See River People's Visitor's Center
In Cross Ranch State Park, provides informative presentations on the natural history of the Missouri River Valley and the inhabitants of the area over the past millennium. By appointment only.
Do
- Boating: boat ramp to allow exploration of this scenic stretch of the river
- Fishing: fishing for walleye, pike and bass.
- Hiking: during the summer, hike through the park's trail system or nature preserve. There is a 5,000-acre dedicated nature preserve composed of mixed grass prairie, river bottom forests and woody draws.
- Cross-country skiing during the winter months.
- Primitive camping in the back-country area, hike to your camping spot. Cabin rental also available.
Drink
Sleep
Nearby
Washburn
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Hazen
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
Beulah
City / town · 25 listings · 25 mi away
Mandan
City / town · 13 listings · 28 mi away
Zap
City / town · 5 listings · 32 mi away
Bismarck
City / town · 50 listings · 32 mi away
Garrison
City / town · 35 listings · 38 mi away
Max
City / town · 8 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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