The South Dakota Missile Site Turned National Park Is The Definition Of A Hidden Gem

As a rule, missile sites are considered to be both incredibly hush-hush and historically significant, so when one is open to the public, you know we are going to be all over it! While the Cold War is thankfully no more, we here in South Dakota have an important reminder of it, thanks to this missile site turned national park to visit in South Dakota.

Welcome to the charming Philip, South Dakota; the town "Where The Sun Kisses The Earth" that is home to the Haakon County seat, 800 residents, and...

...the incredible Minuteman Missile National Historic Site!

During the Cold War, more than 1,000 nuclear missiles were "hidden" around the Plains, including the massive Minuteman Missile, which served from 1963 to the early 1990s.

As per the National Park Service, the missile "holds the power to destroy civilization, but is meant as a nuclear deterrent to maintain peace and prevent war."

Established in 1999, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is truly a must-see for all history buffs and contains such facilities as a state-of-the-art Visitor's Center...

Before you begin your tour of the grounds, it is recommended you begin at the Visitor's Center for an in-depth look at the Cold War and arms race.

...fascinating tours with knowledgable guides...

...and, of course, a close-up look at the iconic Delta-09 missile silo.

(This is a rare opportunity, folks; not many places allow you to get this close to a former missile site!)

The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is located at 24545 CottonWood Road in Philip.

Find more information on Minuteman Missile National Park.

Do you agree that this national park to visit in South Dakota belongs on everyone's bucket list? Have you already visited? Let us know in the comments! For another Mount Rushmore State hidden gem, check out This Enormous Warehouse Of Used Books In South Dakota Will Be Your New Favorite Destination!