Did you know that the center of the U.S. is in South Dakota? All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, have one single geographical center, and it happens to be in Belle Fourche. You can stand on this center of the U.S. in South Dakota for yourself and then say you’ve been there, which is a bragging right that far too many people have.

The exact middle of the United States lies in the center of this large stone compass and map of the country.

South Dakota/Flickr

This beautiful monument was made to designate the geological center of the United States in 1959 after both Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union. Before that, the center - which is still considered the center of the contiguous 48 states - was located in Kansas.

Google/Chad Everett

The spot above is popular to stand on or touch and makes for a great photo op. It’d be pretty cool to say you’ve stood on the actual center of the nation! There is no other spot in the world that can claim the same.

Tim Pearce/Flickr

The monument is surrounded by the flags of all 50 states.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

Each flag has information on the state as well as the distance between Belle Fourche, South Dakota and that state’s capitol.

Karen Walters/Flickr

This plaque located at the monument shares more information and proudly displays the official Great Seal of South Dakota!

48States/Wikimedia

Address: 415 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717

Google/Carel Neffenger

Have you ever been to this spot? Most people probably haven’t, and many from outside of the state may not even know that this important marker is located in South Dakota. Help spread the word, because this is the only place like it in the country.

South Dakota/Flickr

Google/Chad Everett

Tim Pearce/Flickr

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

Karen Walters/Flickr

48States/Wikimedia

Google/Carel Neffenger

It makes me pretty proud to know South Dakota gets to carry this honor that makes us the center of it all. What other things make you proud about this state? Here’s a few good reasons!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Center of the U.S. in South Dakota May 15, 2019 Annie Sandmeier Where is the exact middle of the United States? As you just read, the exact middle of the United States (when counting Hawaii and Alaska) is in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. This is a town of just under 6,000 residents that houses not only the monument, but also ample shopping, dining, museums, and outdoor recreation. The geographic center of the contiguous United States (AKA the lower 48), however, lies within the small Kansas town of Lebanon. Why are South Dakotans proud of their state? Do you have a couple hours? If so, I can fill you in on ALL the reasons! If not, I can give you a quick summary, which includes our good people (I swear the term “Midwest nice” was coined after a South Dakotan!), incredible history (from the original Native Americans to Lewis and Clark to the construction of Mount Rushmore, there is plenty of history to go around!), and one-of-a-kind landmarks you won’t find anywhere else. What are the best attractions in South Dakota? Let’s start with the most famous and obvious, which are Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the beautiful Black Hills. While all of these are a must visit, we have a number of lesser-known attractions, too, like Reptile Gardens (the world’s largest reptile zoo), Badlands National Park, and the must-see Mammoth Site (the world’s largest mammoth research facility). Low on cash? South Dakota even has a number of free attractions, like the world-famous Wall Drug, Dinosaur Park, and Mitchell Corn Palace. As if you really needed more to do, SoDak also offers countless restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, museums, and state parks. Needless to say, you will never run out of fun and exciting things to do around the Mount Rushmore State.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Center of the U.S. in South Dakota

May 15, 2019

Annie Sandmeier

Where is the exact middle of the United States? As you just read, the exact middle of the United States (when counting Hawaii and Alaska) is in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. This is a town of just under 6,000 residents that houses not only the monument, but also ample shopping, dining, museums, and outdoor recreation. The geographic center of the contiguous United States (AKA the lower 48), however, lies within the small Kansas town of Lebanon. Why are South Dakotans proud of their state? Do you have a couple hours? If so, I can fill you in on ALL the reasons! If not, I can give you a quick summary, which includes our good people (I swear the term “Midwest nice” was coined after a South Dakotan!), incredible history (from the original Native Americans to Lewis and Clark to the construction of Mount Rushmore, there is plenty of history to go around!), and one-of-a-kind landmarks you won’t find anywhere else. What are the best attractions in South Dakota? Let’s start with the most famous and obvious, which are Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the beautiful Black Hills. While all of these are a must visit, we have a number of lesser-known attractions, too, like Reptile Gardens (the world’s largest reptile zoo), Badlands National Park, and the must-see Mammoth Site (the world’s largest mammoth research facility). Low on cash? South Dakota even has a number of free attractions, like the world-famous Wall Drug, Dinosaur Park, and Mitchell Corn Palace. As if you really needed more to do, SoDak also offers countless restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, museums, and state parks. Needless to say, you will never run out of fun and exciting things to do around the Mount Rushmore State.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Why are South Dakotans proud of their state? Do you have a couple hours? If so, I can fill you in on ALL the reasons! If not, I can give you a quick summary, which includes our good people (I swear the term “Midwest nice” was coined after a South Dakotan!), incredible history (from the original Native Americans to Lewis and Clark to the construction of Mount Rushmore, there is plenty of history to go around!), and one-of-a-kind landmarks you won’t find anywhere else.

What are the best attractions in South Dakota? Let’s start with the most famous and obvious, which are Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the beautiful Black Hills. While all of these are a must visit, we have a number of lesser-known attractions, too, like Reptile Gardens (the world’s largest reptile zoo), Badlands National Park, and the must-see Mammoth Site (the world’s largest mammoth research facility). Low on cash? South Dakota even has a number of free attractions, like the world-famous Wall Drug, Dinosaur Park, and Mitchell Corn Palace. As if you really needed more to do, SoDak also offers countless restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, museums, and state parks. Needless to say, you will never run out of fun and exciting things to do around the Mount Rushmore State.