Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Designation: National Historic Site
Location: South Dakota
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 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.
🚗 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.
Images
The glass enclosure allows visitors to view a Minuteman II missile in the silo.
Credit: NPS Photo
A Minuteman II nuclear missile remains on alert, representing the 1,000 missiles which kept a constant vigil during the Cold War.
Credit: 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.
Credit: NPS Photo
For thirty years, US Air Force staff monitored a flight of ten nuclear missiles at the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.
Credit: NPS Photo
Behind this blast door is the control center where two missileers kept a constant watch over ten nuclear missiles.
Credit: NPS Photo
Located next to the elevator, this painting served as a reminder to missileers who they were defending the United States against.
Credit: NPS Photo
Visitors can peer through the glass at a Minuteman II missile in the silo at Delta-09.
Credit: NPS Photo
Night view of the Delta-09 site
Credit: NPS Photo / Caroline Rohe
The visitor center at sunset.
Credit: HDR
Morale art reminded missile officers who the enemy was during the Cold War
Credit: NPS/Minuteman Missile NHS
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, May 2
Sunny
High: 77.2°F | Low: 38.8°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 12.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.1
Sunrise: 05:38 AM
Sunset: 07:53 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 43.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, May 3
Patchy rain nearby
High: 68.7°F | Low: 52.6°F
Humidity: 55%
Wind: 15.9 mph
Rain Chance: 80%
UV Index: 6.4
Sunrise: 05:37 AM
Sunset: 07:54 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (98%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 50.1°F
Cloud Cover: 80%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, May 4
Sunny
High: 62.6°F | Low: 47.8°F
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 20.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 6.5
Sunrise: 05:36 AM
Sunset: 07:56 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 45.6°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
24545 Cottonwood Road
Philip, SD 57567
🏤 Mailing Address:
24545 Cottonwood Road
Philip, SD 57567
📞 Voice Phone: 6054335552
📞 Fax Phone: 6054335558
✉️ Email: mimi_information@nps.gov