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.

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

• Center Mine, ☏ +1 701 794-8734, toll-free: +1 800-799-4242. 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, ☏ +1 701 794-8711. 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, ☏ +1 701 794-3731. 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

• Cross Ranch State Park, ☏ +1 701 794-3731, fax: +1 701 794-3262, crsp@state.nd.us. 12 miles southeast, is sited on seven miles of undeveloped Missouri river. 
  • 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

• Lee's Bar, 101 Main St (Hensler is about 1.5 miles east of Center), ☏ +1 701 794-3518. 

Sleep

In Beulah, Washburn or Mandan.