Centerton, Arkansas is the fastest-growing town in Benton County — a former apple-and-poultry community just west of Bentonville that has ballooned into one of Northwest Arkansas’s busiest suburbs in barely two decades. It takes its name from its spot near the geographic center of the county. Here’s your guide to visiting Centerton: what to see, a little history, and how to get there.
Centerton grew from fewer than 500 residents in 2000 to nearly 18,000 by the 2020 Census, spreading out along Highway 102 just minutes from Bentonville. It is mostly a residential and family town rather than a tourist stop, but it has a genuine outdoor gem in its state fish hatchery, plus city parks and an easy jumping-off point for the rest of the region.
Things to do in Centerton
C. B. “Charlie” Craig State Fish Hatchery
Centerton’s most interesting attraction is the C. B. “Charlie” Craig State Fish Hatchery, a series of shallow rearing ponds run by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on West Fish Hatchery Road. The land was first bought in 1938 by local conservationists, and the hatchery was renamed in 1997 for Bentonville’s Charlie Craig, who led the original fundraising. It is free and open dawn to dusk.
Know before you go: you park on Fish Hatchery Road and walk in — driving inside the hatchery is not allowed. From the gates you can stroll the roads and grassy levees between the ponds. Because it is a patchwork of open water surrounded by pasture, it is one of the best birdwatching spots in Benton County: expect herons, egrets, ducks, shorebirds, and other fish-eating and marsh birds, especially around dawn. Bring binoculars, wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy, and check the AGFC for any seasonal fishing events.
City parks and the farmers market
Centerton Parks & Recreation maintains several neighborhood parks with playgrounds, ball fields, picnic tables, and grills — easy, low-key stops if you’re traveling with kids. In the warmer months, a farmers market sets up on Saturday mornings at the downtown park on Main Street, with local produce and makers. The city has been steadily adding recreation amenities as it grows, so check the City of Centerton for the latest on trails, splash pads, and dog parks.
A base for Bentonville and beyond
Centerton’s real advantage for visitors is location. You are about 10–15 minutes from downtown Bentonville — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, the 21c Museum Hotel, and the region’s celebrated mountain-bike trails — while paying suburban rather than downtown prices for a room. It makes an easy, quiet home base for a Northwest Arkansas trip.
A quick history of Centerton
Centerton began as a railroad stop and apple-shipping point after the Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad reached the area in 1898; the town was platted in 1900 and incorporated on September 16, 1914. Apples came first — Benton County once billed itself as an “Apple Capital” — and when the orchards faded, dairy and poultry took over. The rise of Walmart in neighboring Bentonville after 1950, and the region’s broader boom, transformed this small farm town into one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing suburbs, its population climbing more than thirtyfold since 2000.
Centerton Day and local events
The town’s signature event is Centerton Day, a community festival the local fire department started back in 1960, traditionally held on the last Saturday of July. Dates and details shift year to year, so check the City of Centerton for the current schedule before planning around it.
Where to eat, drink, and stay
Centerton has a growing lineup of everyday restaurants along Highway 102, but for a wider range of dining, breweries, and hotels you’re only about 10–15 minutes from Bentonville. For where to eat and drink nearby, browse our sister sites NWA Food and NWA Brew, or dive into our full guides to Bentonville and Rogers.
Location & getting there
- Where: Central Benton County, along Highway 102 just west of Bentonville.
- County: Benton County, Northwest Arkansas.
- From the airport: about 15 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
- Nearby cities: roughly 10–15 minutes to Bentonville, about 20 to Rogers.
- Fish hatchery: on West Fish Hatchery Road; open dawn to dusk, free, walk-in only.
Get directions to the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery »
Centerton FAQ
What is Centerton, Arkansas known for?
Centerton is known as one of the fastest-growing towns in Benton County, a former apple and poultry community just west of Bentonville. For visitors, its best-known spot is the C. B. “Charlie” Craig State Fish Hatchery, a free, dawn-to-dusk site that doubles as one of the area’s better birdwatching locations.
Can you visit the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery?
Yes. The hatchery on West Fish Hatchery Road is free and open from dawn to dusk. You park outside and walk in — driving inside is not allowed — then explore the roads and levees between the ponds, which are excellent for spotting herons, egrets, ducks, and shorebirds.
How far is Centerton from Bentonville?
Centerton sits directly west of Bentonville, about 10 to 15 minutes away by car along Highway 102, and roughly 15 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
Is there much to do in Centerton for tourists?
Centerton is mainly a residential town rather than a tourist destination. Its highlights are the state fish hatchery, city parks, a seasonal Saturday farmers market, and the annual Centerton Day festival. Most visitors use it as a quiet, affordable base for exploring nearby Bentonville and the wider Northwest Arkansas region.
Explore more of Northwest Arkansas
Centerton sits right on the doorstep of the region’s biggest draws. Keep exploring with our guides to Bentonville, Rogers, and the Northwest Arkansas outdoors, or head back to the WeKnowNWA home page to browse every town.