News Release
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Contact: Eric Leonard, 605 433-5552, Ext. 1238
Contact: Joe Brehm, 605 433-5552 ext. 1241
Cactus Flat, South Dakota – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is increasing recreational access and visitor services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning in early June, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site will restore access to:
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Ranger-led tours of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility, with modifications
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The Delta-09 missile silo will be open daily, 9:00 – 3:00 mountain time
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
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The park visitor center, adjacent Interstate-90, exit 131.
The Delta-01 guided tours will be conducted four times a day, Wednesday through Saturday through the summer season. The forty-five minute ranger-guided tour of Delta-01 takes visitors inside the secured fence and features a walkthrough of the grounds and topside support building. To protect the historic facilities and to provide for visitor safety, each tour is limited to six participants and a park ranger. To reduce the risk of spread of or exposure to COVID-19, the elevator and underground control center will not be accessible as part of the Delta-01 tour until further notice.
“The Delta-01 Launch Control Facility provides a remarkable opportunity to view the front line of the Cold War, said Superintendent Eric Leonard. “However, the confined nature of the underground control center built for two missile officers is so small as to make physical distancing impossible. For this reason, we have made the hard decision to suspend access to that portion of the building for the time being.”
All tours of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility require advanced reservations and an amenity fee. Reservations can be made on-line or by phone at 605-717-7629. Reservations can be made up to 90 days prior to tour date. Tour reservations will resume on June 1.
Visitors can learn more about the underground control center though alternative means. A cell phone guided tour and virtual tours provide a view inside the unique Cold War structures the park preserves. The cell phone tour for both Delta-01 and Delta-09 can be accessed in multiple ways: visitors may dial 605-301-3006 to get started on the tour or utilize the mobile web tour to view the tour with pictures and text for every stop in addition to audio recordings. Virtual tours provide a unique way to explore the interior of the underground control center and the missile silo.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
Last updated: May 28, 2020