Minuteman Missile National Historic Site • South Dakota

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

A cylindrical missile inside an underground silo.

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

A brown building behind a tall fence with warning signs

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

A painting of a nuclear missile bursting through a Soviet Flag

View down a silo at a nuclear missile

Night view of the Delta-09 site

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

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

A ranger talks to visitors next to electronic cabinets.

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.

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

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

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.
NPS Photo

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

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

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

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

Night view of the Delta-09 site
NPS Photo / Caroline Rohe

The visitor center at sunset.
HDR

Morale art reminded missile officers who the enemy was during the Cold War
NPS/Minuteman Missile NHS

A park ranger leads a tour in the underground control center
NPS/Rob Swanson

Glass dome inside a chainlink compound covered by gravel in the middle of a prairie

Current Operating Conditions

Learn more about what facilities and services will be available during your visit.

Man in gray shirt and green pants pointing on a large map on the wall

Operating Hours and Season

See what's open and when, including the visitor center, and Delta-01 and Delta-09 sites.

Stuffed turtle character sitting on a bench with a junior ranger booklet and patch beside him.

Be a Junior Missileer!

Earn your Junior Missileer patch, just like Bert the Turtle! Download your book directly from our website.

A short narrow room with green and gray computer racks and two red chairs

Watch a Tour of Delta-01!

In this video, go underground with Ranger Jim to tour the Launch Control Center.

View down a round silo with a missile

Visit a Nuclear Missile at Delta-09

The Delta-09 missile silo allows a rare opportunity to view a nuclear missile once on constant alert during the Cold War.

View through a large fenced gate to a building beyond

Walk to the gate of the facility that once controlled ten nuclear missiles the ten missile of Delta Flight.

Screenshot of virtual tour showing an underground space

Visit the front line of the Cold War from the comfort of your digital device. Go behind the scenes inside Delta-01 and Delta-09.

Ranger standing next to a missile silo listening to a tour on his cell phone

Delta-01 and 09 Audio Tours

The Delta-01 and 09 audio tours tell the story of the historic sites. Can be done at the sites or at your convenience

Area map showing location of three park units

Like the missile field itself, the park is hidden in plain sight immediately adjacent Interstate 90. Find the best directions here.

Last updated: May 5, 2026

Learn More About The Cold War

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

24545 Cottonwood Road
Philip, SD 57567

Phone:

605 433-5552

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