Cold War-era historic site preserving a decommissioned missile silo and launch control facility with exhibits on nuclear deterrence and military history.
General Information
Delta-01 and Delta-09 Tours: By reservation only
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Delta-01 Tour: $12 (adults), $8 (youth 6–16), Free under 6
Delta-09 Silo: Free
How to Get There
From Wall, SD (7 mi): Take I-90 East to Exit 131, turn north onto SD-240 and follow signs to the Visitor Center and Delta sites.
Overview
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site offers a sobering and educational look into the Cold War era through its preserved missile silo and launch control facility. Located near Badlands National Park, the site includes the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility and the Delta-09 Missile Silo, both part of the once-secret Minuteman II missile field. Visitors can explore the underground launch control center, view a decommissioned missile in its silo, and learn about the doctrine of mutually assured destruction that defined global politics for decades.
The Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, archival footage, and personal stories from those who served in the missile program. Guided tours of Delta-01 provide a rare glimpse into the daily life of missileers and the high-stakes environment of nuclear readiness. As a unit of the National Park Service, the site preserves this chapter of American history with clarity and respect, making it a must-visit for history buffs and those interested in military and political history.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
