Discover Everglades’ Nike Missile Tour
Who knew there was a Nike Hercules missile site in the Everglades during the cold war? I didn’t! So, when we planned our Florida 4-day Itinerary, we knew this was on the list.
The location includes three missile hangers or ‘barns’, the missile assembly building, guard dog kennel, barracks and an actual Nike missile!
Table of Contents
Nike Missile Site Everglades Tour Details
Drive to the Earnest F. Coe Visitor Center in the Everglades National Park on Rt 9336 from Florida City/Homestead. (see map below)
Reservations are not required for the missile tour, but they only run once daily in the winter. When you get to the Visitor Center, you can obtain additional information inside.
- Dates: Ranger led tours run in the winter season, Mid December through end of March. Check the NPS
- Times: Starting at 2pm and the formal program runs 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Location: Start at the Earnest F. Coe Visitor Center 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 inside Everglades National Park.
- Cost: Free. (!) No additional cost with park entrance fee
- Start location: The tour begins at the Daniel Beard Center. Park on the right side of Research Road next to the tour sign. You will then caravan to the actual HM69 Alpha Battery Nike Missile site.
Map
History
The site was built after the Cuban missile crisis. This secret base was constructed 1962-1964 and then occupied from 1965-1979. It was one of several sites built to protect Miami from Cuba, and about 140 soldiers were staffed at this facility during operation.
It was designated Alpha Battery, 2nd Missile battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery for the U.S. Army. Over 200 Nike Missile sites had been decommissioned by 1974. Some of its missile systems were armed with nuclear warheads.
Fun Facts: The Base was nicknamed the ‘Hole in the Donut‘
The facility had 24-hour security. Along with it begin surrounded by a double barbed wire fence, they also had guard dogs to provide enhanced security. Lethal force was apparently authorized at the location (!)
The Alpha battery was the last Nike Hercules site to be shut down in the continental United States.
HM69 Nike Missile Site Tour
The Park Rangers giving the tour are very knowledgeable about the site and history of the facility. Since they began tours, it has been very popular. The Rangers provide an added layer of energy and knowledge that is difficult to obtain through just the self-guided tour.
When you enter the site there are plenty of information signs so you can give yourself a self-guided tour around the facility if you happen to miss the guided tour.
Missile Assembly and Warhead Building
The first stop on the self-driving tour is the Missile Assembly and Warhead building, which is where they provide maintenance on the supersonic missiles. I can imagine the care that had to be taken to remove four solid rocket engines to just begin maintenance work. I love the mural they put on the side of the building!
This is also where they applied the plaque for the national Register of Historic Places. See if you can find it on your visit.
A small support building is also present. This is what is left of the kennel and agility course for the 24-hour a day guard dogs used at the site.
Nike Missile Barn
We caught up with the tour at the barn where they kept a refurbished Nike Missile. We had the nice opportunity to hear some information about the site and see this awesome rocket firsthand.
Each missile had a six-soldier launch crew who could get the missile ready to fire in a matter of minutes. The standing record was 3 and a half minutes. Every second counted as these missiles were designed to knock out supersonic aircraft trying to reach south Florida.
National Park Passport Cancellation Stamp
You can only get the Nike Missile National Park Cancellation Stamp during the tour, as it is kept locked up in the barn. You can find it on a table inside to the left of the Nike Missile.
National Park passport cancellation stamps are a great, no cost, low impact way to commemorate a visit to one of our National Parks. We have an entire article dedicated to explaining the program and how to get the most out of it.
Questions
- Are Nike Hercules Missiles Still Active? No. The Nike Hercules system is no longer active. They were phased out in the 1970’s and replaced by more modern air defense systems. The last site decommissioned was hm69 in the everglades.
- What has happened to all the Nike missile sites after they have been decommissioned? Over 250 Nike missile sites across the United States me various fates when they were decommissioned. Some became public parks or used as other government facilities. Others were sold off to be used as schools or businesses. While some, like HM69, were converted into a historical site.
Additional Thoughts
I would have to say no visit to the Everglades would be complete without at least driving through the self-guided section of the HM69 Nike Missile Base. Whether you are driving down to the Keys and have time of a quick stop or if you are headed for in-depth activities at the Guy Bradley (Flamingo) visitor center in Everglades National Park, this is a must stop location.
Related Posts:
