News Release

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site To Offer Accessible Topside Tours Of The Delta-01 Launch Control Facility

Date: December 10, 2019
Contact: Eric Leonard, 605 433-5552 ext. 1238
Contact: Joe Brehm, 605 433-5552 ext. 1241

Cactus Flat, S.D. – The historic Delta-01 Launch Control Facility provides a remarkable opportunity to view the front line of the Cold War. However, it was built for two missile officers, and never meant for tourists. The standard public tour of Delta-01, offered since 2004, includes a descent to the underground control center which not accessible to visitors with mobility challenges due to the restrictive underground spaces.

 
Built to execute a nuclear war, the historic Delta-01 Launch Control provides a remarkable opportunity to view the front line of the Cold War. However, one result of the Cold War construction of the site is that it cannot be made fully accessible for modern audiences. The standard public tour of Delta-01, offered since 2004, is not accessible to visitors with mobility challenges due to the small size of the elevator and restrictive underground spaces.
 
For those visitors unable to safely experience the underground control center, beginning this month, the park will offer an accessible topside tour that focuses on the above ground structure and explores the underground launch control center virtually. This tour does not enter the elevator or go to the underground control center. In order to ensure staff availability and the best experience possible, this tour must be reserved at least five days in advance online or by calling 605-717-7629. Standard amenity fees apply and the minimum number of participants on the accessible tour is two visitors. The topside tour will be offered once weekly November through April, and in the summer season the tour will be offered twice weekly.
 
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site strives to be inclusive and welcoming to all visitors. “The topside tour will allow those visitors unable to physically reach the underground control center to have a quality experience inside the historic building,” remarked Superintendent Eric Leonard.  
 
The physical limitations unique to these facilities have led to an emphasis on programmatic access. Examples of this include the development of the replica Delta-01 blast door at the Visitor Center and the virtual tours of Delta-01 and the missile silo at Delta-09.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's headquarters and visitor center is located off of exit 131, Interstate 90. The park consists of three sites along a fifteen mile stretch of Interstate 90 in Western South Dakota. Authorized by Congress in 1999, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves components of the Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile system, interpreting the deterrent value of the land-based portion of America's nuclear defense during the Cold War era and commemorating the people and events associated with this recent period of American history. More information about the park can be found on the park’s website at or by phone at: 605-433-5552. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter.