Belle Fourche combines a central location with community ties
While it may be the nation's geographic center, life in Belle Fourche is centered around a tight-knit community. “We’re large enough that we have grocery stores and a thriving downtown,” says Falina Selchert, a realtor and Belle Fourche resident who is very active in the community. “But at the same time, we’ve got that small-town, intimate feel where everybody feels like they know everybody. You can’t go into the grocery store without running into five people you know.” Downtown has a monument noting the city’s central location. “We have all of the state flags down there, and there is a plaque that says how far away we are from each of their capitals,” Selchert says.
New subdivisions add to the variety of housing styles
Houses in Belle Fourche vary from bungalows built in the early 1900s to newer Ranch-style homes built as recently as 2024. “I’m pretty ecstatic at the fact that we have two new housing subdivisions that are being built right now,” Selchert says. “We have another one coming in the next year or so.” In the range of around $150,000 to $250,000, homes are often under 1,500 square feet. Homes over 1,500 square feet sell for between about $250,000 and $600,000. Mobile homes start at around $40,000 and go up to about $300,000. Residential streets tend to be wide with room for street parking, and the median lot size is just under a quarter of an acre.
The school district stands out for its Monday-to-Thursday schedule
Kindergarten students can attend North Park Elementary, then head to South Park Elementary for first grade through fourth grade. Niche gives the schools a B and a C-plus grade, respectively. Belle Fourche Middle earns a C-plus rating, while Belle Fourche High has a B score. “We have a unique four-day school week that runs from Monday to Thursday,” Selchert says. “We’re one of the only school districts in our area to have that.” Black Hills State University is a B-minus-rated four-year public college in nearby Spearfish.
River walk, parks and rodeo grounds offer outdoor variety
The Belle Fourche River Walk loops around a frisbee golf course, several parks and the Roundup Grounds, which includes rodeo arenas and sports fields. Selchert says that the city recently added a floating park to its recreation options. “You can get in the water with your inner tube and float all the way around the Belle Fourche River. Once you get out, it’s really easy to walk across the peninsula, and then you can float down it again,” she says. The Belle Fourche Recreation Center offers youth & adult sports leagues, aquatic programs for the indoor pool and group fitness classes. Rocky Point Recreation Area has over 8,000 acres that are often used for archery, fishing and water activities like boating and kayaking. Belle Fourche Country Club is a semi-private club with a 9-hole course.
Local shops and restaurants line the town’s main road
Belle Fourche’s main road is called State Street, and it’s home to several local shops and restaurants. Wild Magnolia is a coffee shop that serves freshly made desserts. Rancho Los Agaves has authentic Mexican cuisine. “I’ve lived in big cities all over the United States, and I’ll tell you it is the best Mexican food I’ve had,” Selchert says.
The Belle Flower Shop sells clothes and gift items as well as flowers. Prairie Hills Pharmacy is also an ice cream shop. Lueders Food Centers and Lynn’s Dakotamart are two grocery shopping options in town. “Every time I’ve asked them to carry something for me, they’ve always put it on their shelves,” Selchert says of the latter.
The annual rodeo and fireworks highlight town traditions
In the summer, Hometown Thursdays provide fun with food trucks, vendors and live music. “Every Thursday we get a band from somewhere in the Black Hills area to come and perform,” Selchert says. Belle Fourche celebrates the Fourth of July over the course of several days with a rodeo, a carnival, a large parade and two nights of fireworks. “We are a little town, but we are mighty and have a lot going on,” Selchert says. “I don’t think a lot of people realize just how special Belle Fourche is and how much we have going on.”
U.S. Route 85 and Interstate 90 connect to nearby cities and airports
Belle Fourche is about 13 miles from Spearfish. “A lot of people from Belle Fourche commute over to Spearfish, that’s where they have the Monument Health Center,” Selchert says. The area is primarily car-dependent, but there is some walkability around the downtown area. U.S. Route 85 runs through town and goes up to the Canadian Border and down to the Mexico border. Rapid City is around 55 miles away on Interstate 90. Rapid City Regional Airport has direct flights to major cities, including Denver, Chicago and Dallas.
