Minuteman Missile Nhs Tours
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
This compound includes the topside support building and the associated underground Launch Control Center located 31 feet below the plains of western South Dakota. The topside supported the missileers stationed underground in carrying out their mission. Equipment such as a backup generator for auxiliary power, and environmental control provided backup support in the event of a power outage or an attack. There were always eight people on the topside, all enlisted Air Force personnel who were stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, 60 miles to the west. These personnel included a Facility Manager (top ranking non-commissioned officer on-site), a cook and six security police. They worked three straight days on, followed by three days off. In addition, the site had bunk housing for visitors, such as maintenance teams who were required to remain over night at the nearest Launch Control Facility (LCF) if they exceeded 16 hours in a work shift. They would spend the night at the nearest LCF before driving back to Ellsworth Air Force Base the following day. The building also contained a Security Control Center, where all security activities were coordinated and personnel would be processed when coming on site. Other areas on the topside included a day room, dining area and recreational room that Air Force support personnel used while at the facility.This compound includes the topside support building and the associated underground Launch Control Center located 31 feet below the plains of western South Dakota. The topside supported the missileers stationed underground in carrying out their mission. Equipment such as a backup generator for auxiliary power, and environmental control provided backup support in the event of a power outage or an attack. There were always eight people on the topside, all enlisted Air Force personnel who were stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, 60 miles to the west. These personnel included a Facility Manager (top ranking non-commissioned officer on-site), a cook and six security police. They worked three straight days on, followed by three days off. In addition, the site had bunk housing for visitors, such as maintenance teams who were required to remain over night at the nearest Launch Control Facility (LCF) if they exceeded 16 hours in a work shift. They would spend the night at the nearest LCF before driving back to Ellsworth Air Force Base the following day. The building also contained a Security Control Center, where all security activities were coordinated and personnel would be processed when coming on site. Other areas on the topside included a day room, dining area and recreational room that Air Force support personnel used while at the facility.
Need to Know
- Delta One tour
All-ranger-guided tours of the Delta-01 Control Facility and underground control center require reservations. Built for nuclear war, the control center features a small elevator and a tight underground space. To protect the historic facilities and to provide for visitor safety, each tour is limited to six participants and a park ranger. This tour lasts 45 minutes, beginning and ending at the entry gate to the Delta-01 compound off exit 127. The tour is moderately strenuous and requires a quarter mile round trip walk. All tour participants must be able to walk and stand unassisted as seating is unavailable.
Booking Windows
Tickets for Minuteman Missile National Historic site will become available 30 days in advance of the tour date at 10 a.m. ET.
Changes and Cancellations
MODIFICATIONS & CANCELLATIONS: Reservations can be modified up to 24 hours in advance with no additional fees. Cancellations submitted prior to 24 hours in advance will receive a refund of their ticket fees minus $1 per ticket. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time will incur a $1 cancellation fee per ticket, resulting in a total $2 per ticket late cancellation fee.
REFUNDS: Refunds will be processed if you cancel before your tour time and date. The $1 reservation fee is nonrefundable, regardless of reason for cancellation. Customers who cancel after the reservation time and date, or no-shows will forfeit the tour fee. Refunds must be processed through Recreation.gov.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
24545 Cottonwood Road Philip SD 57567
Phone Number
605-433-5552
