Near the Badlands, a preserved launch site and silo tell the story of the missiles once hidden beneath the grass. For travelers drawn to the Mount Rushmore State, this is a stop that rewards a slow look.

The national historic site preserves a launch control facility and an unarmed missile silo.

What sets it apart

At its peak the region held 150 Minuteman missiles on constant alert. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

The silos sat scattered across ranchland, largely invisible to passing travelers.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. However you come to it, this is a place that stays with you long after the drive home.