Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Ace In The Hole
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is one of the nation’s newest national park areas. The park was established by Congress in 1999 and consists of a nuclear missile silo and launch control facility. From this seemingly isolated patch of Midwestern prairie, United States Air Force officers could have launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) at targets in the Soviet Union. With the simple turn of keys, nuclear missiles would have been exchanged with the Soviet Union, making real one of the greatest fears of the 20th Century, nuclear war.

This Cold War commemoration allows visitors an up-close view of an ICBM. Visitors are guided through the launch control capsule and topside support structures of a Minuteman II launch control facility known as Delta-01. Delta-01 was part of the 44th Missile wing, operated by crews from the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site allows access to an area that, although not secret, was seldom seen by civilians from the time it was completed in 1963. Modified only slightly through its 30 years of continuous service, the site is an excellent example of Cold War missile system.

Although the resources protected at this site relate directly to the Minuteman missile program, the site’s story will include the larger issues of the Cold War era. National Park Service officials estimate it will take up-to six years for them fully develop the site.

Minuteman Missile Fees, Facilities & Programs
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site park headquarters are open year round from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. It is closed on weekends. The contact station is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are currently no fees for ranger-guided tours at Minuteman Missile.