Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site in South Dakota. Here you will find remnants of the Cold War, including an underground launch control center and a missile silo. Minuteman missiles still hold the destructive power to destroy civilization as we know it, but the same destructive force is intended as a deterrent to keep the peace. Minuteman Missile is a reminder that the threat of nuclear war still haunts the world. == Understand == A Minuteman Missile can strike a target over 6,000 mi (9,700 km) away in less than half an hour. Because it moves at speeds of over 15,000 mph (24,000 km/h), a Minuteman could cross the United States from east to west in just over 10 minutes. By comparison, to drive the same distance would take a few days, and by airplane, a few hours. === History === The site preserves the last intact Minuteman II ICBM system in the United States, in a disarmed and demilitarized status, that once consisted of 150 Minuteman II missiles and 15 launch-control sites over 13,500 sq mi (35,000 km2) of southwestern South Dakota. The complex, one of six constructed in the central United States, was built as a deterrent to a nuclear first strike by the Soviet Union. By placing missiles underground in widely separated locations, it was hoped that regardless of the size of a Soviet missile attack, enough US missiles would survive to ensure devastation on the aggressor nation. The Minutemen in this complex remained on alert for nearly 30 years, from 1963 until the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in 1991. The missiles in this complex were removed, the 44th Missile Wing was inactivated, and most of the complex was destroyed. D-01 and D-09 were preserved as a National Historic Site, because they were both close to a major road (Interstate 90) and to existing recreational facilities. === Climate === Weather in South Dakota can be quite variable throughout the year. During the summer months temperatures can reach up to 100 °F (38 °C). Thunderstorms may also be experienced during the spring, summer and fall months. Winds may be high during any time of the year. During the winter months temperatures can be quite cold while blizzards are not uncommon. === Park information === Minuteman Missile National Historic Site website == Get in == The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site consists of three sites along Interstate 90 east of Wall. Take Exit 131 for the Visitor Center. It is 0.25 mi (0.40 km) north of the interstate. Take Exit 127 for the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility. Take Exit 116 for the Delta-09 Launch Facility. Bring a car, as there are no public transportation options. == Fees and permits == There are no fees to visit the site. The Delta-01 tour costs $12 ($8 for youth) and requires reservations up to 90 days in advance. == Get around == == See == 1 Visitor Center, 24545 Cottonwood Rd, Philip (Exit 131), ☏ +1-605-433-5552. Tu-Sa 8AM-4PM Mountain Time, closed for most federal holidays. The visitor center includes exhibits and a park orientation video which places the Minuteman in historic context. (updated Jul 2025) 2 Delta-09 Launch Facility (Delta-09 Missile Silo) (Exit 116). This missile silo, like 150 others across the state, once housed a fully operational Minuteman Missile, bearing a 1.2-megaton nuclear warhead. There is no underground access; the door has been welded and fitted with a glass roof, with an unarmed missile placed inside. A cellphone-guided tour is available, and an interpreter is sometimes on site in the morning. (updated Jul 2025) == Do == 1 Delta-01 Launch Control Facility Tour (Exit 127). Descend 31 ft (9.4 m) down the elevator to the underground launch control room, where missileers waited for the launch commands that never came. Tours take about 45 minutes and are limited to six people. Tickets for tours can be reserved up to 90 days in advance; there is no same-day availability. Space is very limited and can book up almost immediately in the summer, so plan your trip early! Adult $12, ages 6-16 $8. (updated Jul 2025) == Buy == The Visitor Center has a gift shop. == Eat and drink == There is no food onsite. == Sleep == There are no accommodations on-site. The nearest lodgings are in Wall. === Camping === The site is surrounded by the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. As with nearly all U.S. National Grasslands, you are free to pitch a tent pretty much anywhere you like, as long as you get a little ways away from the road, and make sure not to go down any roads marked private. == Stay safe == In the event of a nuclear strike, the underground facilities are sheltered from nearby blasts, but are not built to survive a direct strike, as they were not overly worried about the accuracy of Soviet weapons. The bunkers store enough emergency food and water for one week. After that, you will need to clear fill from the escape hatch and climb out. If a correct launch code is received, decrypted and typed in within a narrow time window, and both missileers strap in and turn their launch key at the same time, a missile will launch to an undisclosed target and World War III will begin. == Go next == Popular attractions in the Black Hills and Badlands: Badlands National Park Mount Rushmore Other ICBM missile sites preserved for public access: Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site in Cooperstown, North Dakota Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Arizona