minuteman-missile | SD | Find park

Glass structure over the silo allows visitors to look down at the missile

The glass enclosure allows visitors to view a Minuteman II missile in the silo.

A cylindrical missile inside an underground silo.

A Minuteman II nuclear missile remains on alert, representing the 1,000 missiles which kept a constant vigil during the Cold War.

Two people are visible at the missile silo through a chain link fence

A visit to the Delta-09 missile silo allows the opportunity to consider the role of these missile in America's defense during the Cold War.

A brown building behind a tall fence with warning signs

For thirty years, US Air Force staff monitored a flight of ten nuclear missiles at the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.

A large metal blast door with art of a Domino with a nuclear missile

Behind this blast door is the control center where two missileers kept a constant watch over ten nuclear missiles.

A painting of a nuclear missile bursting through a Soviet Flag

Located next to the elevator, this painting served as a reminder to missileers who they were defending the United States against.

Visitors can peer through the glass at a Minuteman II missile in the silo at Delta-09.

Night view of the Delta-09 site

A modern building with a prominent glass clerestory dominates a prairie landscape at sunset

The visitor center at sunset.

A view of a concrete wall with a painting and a blastdoor with art

Morale art reminded missile officers who the enemy was during the Cold War

A ranger talks to visitors next to electronic cabinets.

A park ranger leads a tour in the underground control center

Physical Address:

24545 Cottonwood Road

Philip, SD 57567

Mailing Address:

24545 Cottonwood Road

Philip, SD 57567

contact-details

Phone Number: 6054335552 Voice
Phone Number: 6054335558 Fax

Email Address: mimi_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

During the Cold War, a vast arsenal of nuclear missiles were placed in the Great Plains. Hidden in plain sight, for thirty years 1,000 missiles were kept on constant alert; hundreds remain today. The Minuteman Missile remains an iconic weapon in the American nuclear arsenal. It holds the power to destroy civilization, but is meant as a nuclear deterrent to maintain peace and prevent war.

park designation:National Historic Site

Directions:

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is located at three sites along a fifteen mile stretch of Interstate 90 in western South Dakota. The Visitor Center is located immediately north of I-90, exit 131. The two historic sites which make up the park are four miles (Launch Control Facility Delta-01) and 15 miles (Launch Facility Delta-09) from the Visitor Center. No public transportation systems serve the park.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Delta-09 Missile Silo

Visitors are invited to go inside the fenced compound and look down into the silo at a Minuteman missile in its historic state, protected by a glass viewing enclosure. A narrated ranger guided tour of Delta-09 is available year-round using your cell phone. Inclement weather may close this site on occasion. ***Please Be Aware*** The park will NOT be changing days of operation. The park will be open Tuesday-Saturday through the summer and winter seasons.

Exceptions:

Memorial Day (May 29, 2024 - May 29, 2024)

Independence Day (July 4, 2024 - July 4, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Columbus Day (October 7, 2024 - October 7, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Delta-01 Launch Control Facility

A recorded audio tour at Delta-01 is available for all visitors that guides you to the front gate of Delta-01. To enter the Delta-01 facility, visitors need to attend a ranger-guided tour. Due to the size of the elevator and the confined space underground, advance reservations are required and tours are limited to 6 visitors at a time. Inclement weather may close this site on occasion. ***Please Be Aware*** The park will NOT be changing days of operation. The park will be open Tuesday-Saturday.

Exceptions:

Memorial Day (May 29, 2024 - May 29, 2024)

Independence Day (July 4, 2024 - July 4, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Columbus Day (October 7, 2024 - October 7, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Weather Information:

Rapid weather changes are common in the western South Dakota area where Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is located. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot dry summers and bitterly cold winters. Wind is a constant on the Great Plains, winds in excess of 50 mph not uncommon. During the winter season, winds typically blow from the north-northwest and have been known to cause wind chills in excess of -40 degrees.