Paws for History: Your Guide to Dog Friendly Minuteman Missile Silo NHS
If you’re planning a road trip through western South Dakota, dog friendly Minuteman Missile Silo is a unique and interesting destination that welcomes both you and your four-legged friend. Divided into three sites, it offers a glimpse into the Cold War, which was one of the most tense chapters in recent American history.
This is a rare opportunity to see an epic visitor center as well as a decommissioned missile silo and former launch control facility that were once an important part of our country’s defense system. Located near both Badlands National Park and Wall Drug, it’s an easy and flexible attraction to add to your itinerary because you can visit all three sites in a day or spread them out between your other stops.
Whether you’re a history lover or just looking for a unique experience, get ready for an unforgettable adventure through a fascinating piece of American history. And since your pup is welcome for the majority of the visit, make sure to pack that leash and hit the road!
Is Minuteman Missile Silo Dog Friendly?
Yes, Minuteman Missile Silo is pet-friendly though there are some restrictions. Pets are NOT allowed inside the visitor center or inside the final fenced-in area at the Delta 09 site (where you can look down into a silo at an unarmed missile). They ARE allowed in the covered area at the Delta 09 location where the educational signage is and at the Delta 01 site.
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What to Expect When You Visit Minuteman Missile Silo NHS
This historic site helps record our nation’s history during the Cold War. For some background; following the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the U.S. shut down all but two sites from a Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile field in the Great Plains of western South Dakota. The National Park Service then took over the remaining sites and turned them into an educational historic landmark, where visitors can learn about the global challenges posed by nuclear weapons technology in the midst of international conflict.
If you are short on time, I would definitely recommend stopping at the visitor center and then squeezing a brief stop at Delta 09. I’ve been twice, and for people that love reading every sign and seeing each video clip (like me), the visitor center alone can take a couple of hours, but if you are more of skimmer and skip the main video (like my husband and brother) they sailed through the exhibits in about 30 minutes.
If you add on the other two sites, plan on an additional 30 min to an hour. This will be largely dependent on whether or not you stay at each site while listening to the audio tour.
Minuteman Missile Silo Price and Hours
Minuteman Missile Silo National Historic Site is free to visit. The visitor center is typically open throughout the year with shortened hours during winter. Be prepared as the hours do change throughout the year depending on the season so make sure to double check before you go.
Currently it’s open Tuesday- Saturday from 8 am -4pm in the off season. The other two sites (Delta 09 and Delta 01) are also open Tuesday- Saturday from 9 am – 3pm.
Parking at Minuteman Missile Sites
Each Minuteman Missile Site has its own parking lot which makes visiting all three locations super convenient.
Are there Bathrooms at Minuteman Missile NHS?
Yes! Each of the three locations at this national historic site does have bathrooms.
Where to Stay When Visiting Minuteman Missile NHS?
There are tons of places to choose from if you are visiting the area. Depending on which site you are at, it’s about 4 miles from Badlands National Park, 10 miles from Wall Drug, and about an hour from Rapid City.
Visiting Dog Friendly Minuteman Missile Silo
Visiting the Minuteman Missile NHS with your pup is not quite like visiting other national historic sites because it’s spread out over 3 different locations. These areas are all within 15 miles of each other. To optimize your time and visit it’s best to start at the visitor center where you will get a thorough overview of the history of the United States’ nuclear missile program and the Cold War. This will help you better understand and appreciate the other two sites; Delta 09 and Delta 01.
Delta 01, the launch control facility, is the next closest site and then you will get to Delta 09 which contains the missile silo. There is a free audio tour that you can pull up on your cell phone that will explain what you are seeing at these two locations.
Minuteman Missile Silo Visitor Center
The visitor center is definitely where you want to start your visit to this national historic site even though your canine companion won’t be able to join you inside. This is where you will find both park rangers and volunteers that can help you with any questions, get your national park passport (and your dog’s Pup Memory Passport) stamped, as well as the gift shop, educational movie, and exhibits.
The 30 minute movie plays throughout the day in the theatre at the back of the building. It covers the critical moments between the Unites States and USSR during the arms race and Cold War as well as reviewing the daily life of military members stationed at launch facilities and missile silos throughout the Midwest. If you don’t have time to sit and watch it at the visitor center, it’s available to watch for free online, or you can purchase it in the gift shop.
To the right of the building, is the exhibits entrance. They are in chronological order so it’s best to follow the recommended route for it to make the most sense. These exhibits range from informational signage, short visual and audio clips, to fun interactive learning opportunities.
Some of the information does get repetitive as you go through the room, but I found it helped me understand things a bit better because it was presented in different ways. It is a lot of information, so be prepared to take breaks if you get information overload.
The gift shop is in the main lobby and filled with Knick knacks like stickers, keychains, and books. You can even buy a piece of the Hardened Intersite Cable System left over from when the sites were active. Checkout is at the Ranger desk where you can also get brochures and the phone number for the audio tours for the other sites.
Delta 01 Launch Facility
The Delta 01 Launch Control Facility is completely fenced in so you can’t enter it unless you’re lucky enough to get into one of the guided tours. Be warned that these tours fill up months in advance so plan accordingly.
This means when you do visit, you and your pup can walk up to the fence to see the bit of the building and equipment above ground. Most of the facility is located underground where the launch control center is. Above ground in the building is where things like the dining hall, day room, and sleeping areas were located as well as equipment like back up generators.
Honestly, this stop is visually boring since most of it is inaccessibly underground so I highly recommend listening to the free audio tour while you’re here. It does a great job walking you through what you could find inside and the safety protocols that were in place when it was active. I would also take advantage of the virtual tour so you can see what’s there.
Delta 09 Missile Silo
The Delta 09 missile silo is the farthest site from the Minuteman Missile Visitor Center but closest to Wall Drug and the last of the sites on your way to Rapid City. There is a covered area that provides shade near the educational signs and restroom which is perfect if you’re trading spots with a friend so you can take turns going into the final fenced off area where pets aren’t allowed.
In this fenced area, you can structures like the antennas that were used when these sites and missiles were active up until the early 90’s. You can also look down into an 80 foot deep missile silo with an unarmed missile inside.
Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Minuteman Missile Silo Sites
The Minuteman Missile Silo Historic Site has some unique challenges if you plan on visiting with your pet so here are some tips to get you started on the right foot:
- Keep Everyone Hydrated. South Dakota gets HOT in the summer. Make sure to give your dog plenty of water breaks so they don’t overheat.
- Bring Shade. There is little shade at these stops. It’s best to bring your own like an umbrella or sunscreen to help prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion for both you and your pup.
- Paw Protection. Protect your furry companion’s feet from both the hot pavement, hot sand, and sand burrs at the different sites. Always test the ground with your hand to see if your dog can safely walk with paw protection and remember to check for burrs before you get back into the car.
- Watch the Wind. These sites are located in the middle of the Great Plains prairie so when the wind picks up it can be fierce. Keep this in mind, especially if your pup has sensitive eyes- sun glasses or goggles may come in handy.
- Bring a 2nd Human– the visitor center is amazing but unfortunately not pet-friendly. Bring a friend along so you can take turns enjoying everything this National Historic Site has to offer. This will also allow you to get up close and look into the missile silo at Delta 09.
Nearby Attractions to Minuteman Missile Silo NHS
For ideas of more places to visit in the area, check out these stops:
Attractions near Minuteman Missile NHS
Dog-Friendly Attractions near Minuteman Missile NHS
And here’s a guide if you are interested in visiting the other National Parks here in South Dakota with your pup.
Sit, Stay… and Learn Some History at Minuteman Missile Silo
Whether you’re visiting for the history, to fill some time between stops, or just to get your National Park Passport stamped, Minuteman Missile Silo NHS is absolutely worth a trip. I originally visited Minuteman Missile Silo NHS just to cross another national historic site off my list, but quickly found myself amazed by how much there was to learn about our country’s nuclear defense system and just how close we came to nuclear war during the Cold War.
Even more amazing was when I told my mom about where I went, she told me that she was stationed at similar base when she was in the Air Force! I’ve been twice now; the second time with my husband, brother, and dogs in tow, and my one regret is still not having done the underground tour. It is firmly at the top of my bucket list, so if you manage to snag a spot, please report back and let me know how it is!
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