South Dakota Air and Space Museum
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
4.5
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Aircraft that have been flown throughout the eras are on display at South Dakota's premiere free aviation museum! The museum has two major static display venues: First, a outdoor air park filled with WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, and present day aircraft lets you get close to & touch history. This includes the currently flown B-1B Lancer. Secondly, four historical hangars showcase military history & technology,space tech & EROS, SD aviation, and EAFB local military history in a fresh and immersive walk-through. Mid-May through Mid-September bus tours of nearby Ellsworth AFB and the Minuteman II missile training silo are offered at a nominal fee. You will be able to go inside the silo and on base for a 50 minute guided tour of the only MMII silo open to the public. Make sure you bring your ID or Passport (Non-US) to enjoy the tour!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- kcby70 contributionsA Must See For Military Aircraft EnthusiastsArrived at the space museum to see that the indoor museum was closed. One of the employees came to talk to us and told us they have been closed since 2020. Unfortunately, the website we had used didn’t mention this and we were told that website isn’t run by the museum. So if you want actual info from the museum it is best to use the South Dakota Air and Space Museum Facebook page. Even though the inside was closed we spent about an hour at the outdoor air park. There are approximately 25 or so aircraft and info on each one. If you enjoy military aircraft this is a great stop and it’s free, with ample parking available.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- DianeERFalls Church, Virginia2,370 contributionsAwesome if you like military planes!First off, this is located on the grounds of Ellsworth AFB but outside the security gates, so you do not need a DoD ID card to enter the grounds. At the time we went in early June, the museum was closed & I see it’s open now. It was fantastic to get so close to these planes- maybe around 25 of them & we really enjoyed it. Very close to Rapid City City but use your GPS as it may direct you to a military entrance where you can’t get in unless you have D0D ID & will have to go to another entrance. If you like my review, I hope you’ll click the “helpful” button; those of us who write reviews live for those and it motivates us to do more.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 August 2024
- Johnny A23 contributionsRapid City FlightGreat museum with a nice selection of aircraft. I especially like the B-1 bomber on display. Majority of the aircraft are outside with only a couple on the inside. Inside displays are nice but the only downside is the gift shop was not up and running.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 23 August 2024
- harryh409Crestview, Florida424 contributionsWonderful museumThis is a small but free air force and space museum in Box Elder, SD just outside Rapid City, SD. It is a wonderfully laid out display of air force and space information and memorabilia. It is clean, comfortable and an airman is inside to answer any questions you may have. The is a large collection of aircraft too from all era's of air conflicts and in very good condition. It is worth the stop to explore and they only ask for donations/Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
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Cindy S
North East, MD4 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We thoroughly enjoyed the large Informative outdoor displays as well as the inside displays. The displays were very informative and incredibly interesting. They were well spaced out so there was no overcrowding. This museum was so much better than we would’ve ever imagined. Parking is free and easy, the displays are well-maintained, and the museum staff was great. We especially enjoyed speaking to the museum curator, tech Sergeant Patterson. His rich knowledge made our visit extra special. Our kids really enjoyed speaking with him as well as Vietnam veteran Dan.
Written 13 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lentara71
Houston, TX140 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Great collection of outdoor warbirds.
We went July 2022 and the museum building was closed due to lack of available volunteer docents.
There are about 30 vintage aircraft outside, including two unarmed missiles, that are open to look at.
If you are a veteran or fan of aircraft, be sure to check out this free exhibit.
Note that even though the building is currently closed, gates are open 8am-5pm daily.
We went July 2022 and the museum building was closed due to lack of available volunteer docents.
There are about 30 vintage aircraft outside, including two unarmed missiles, that are open to look at.
If you are a veteran or fan of aircraft, be sure to check out this free exhibit.
Note that even though the building is currently closed, gates are open 8am-5pm daily.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
936 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a small (compared to some other aviation museums), but is well worth the visit. The outside display of planes is done very good. Lots of walkways and story boards to explain the role each plane played. The interior displays are not very big. But they are all well laid out, and again, lots of story boards. This museum seems more focused on the impact of Ellsworth AFB to the overall mission of the USAF. This gives a more personal feel to the displays.
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kcby
70 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Arrived at the space museum to see that the indoor museum was closed. One of the employees came to talk to us and told us they have been closed since 2020. Unfortunately, the website we had used didn’t mention this and we were told that website isn’t run by the museum. So if you want actual info from the museum it is best to use the South Dakota Air and Space Museum Facebook page. Even though the inside was closed we spent about an hour at the outdoor air park. There are approximately 25 or so aircraft and info on each one. If you enjoy military aircraft this is a great stop and it’s free, with ample parking available.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anamari4
Miami, FL101 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
On a whim while traveling around South Dakota, I decided to stop at this museum located by the Ellsworth Air Force Base. What a great choice as my husband is obsessed with airplanes and this is a hidden gem. In an outside area it houses quite a collection of aircraft exemplifying our country’s military history in aviation, while inside it has many artifacts and interesting facts to learn and appreciate. It’s easy going and they don’t even charge a set fee, it’s an honor system where you can give what you can. The gift shop was nice. You never know and while outside you might be treated to seeing one of the planes you are looking at in the museum landing at the base. We did see a B1B bomber landing and my husband was in airplane heaven!
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swoodruf
Muskegon, MI1,638 contributions
May 2021
Even though the actual museum was closed due to Covid, we were able to walk around and read about all of the big planes and space vehicles. As you get near the entrance to the Main Gate of Ellsworth Air Force Base you will see the museum. There are many retired planes outside to look at and read about. Even thought this isn't usually my cup of tea, I enjoyed it. This base is the headquarters for the nuclear air command. Worth a short stop for sure!
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSQRD1
Kent, OH871 contributions
Jun 2021
If you love planes and are visiting the area, this is a great stop. The museum has a number of planes on display outdoors as well as indoor displays. We learned a lot about the air force in SD. We also saw planes taking off and landing from ellsworth..which my husband love. Plus it is free.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason R
New Hampton, IA420 contributions
Jul 2021
I had seen this place as a kid and really wanted to go back. Sadly, and understandably, due to COVID19 the base tour isn't available. The museum has some really good airplane displays and the models on site are impressive. Worth stopping, but as most things in life, it wasn't as I remembered it as a kid.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan W
East Palestine, OH13 contributions
Jul 2022
Stopped on Sunday morning at 9. Gate was locked, even though the website said it opened at 9. We hung around until 9:30 and someone eventually came and unlocked the gate. Inside museum was closed for "updating", but outside displays were labeled well. We enjoyed the variety within the displays. FREE.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis M
Iowa, United States333 contributions
May 2021
Anyone who likes airplanes has to see these. From old WW2 stuff to missiles to B-1 and B-52, and all things with wings in between, all on outside display. Paved paths most places. Indoor displays of smaller Air Force related artifacts. Interesting. NOT inside Ellsworth Air Force Base, but just by front gate, and operated by the state, so no pre-clearance required..
Written 24 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there stairs or a ladder(s) to climb when visiting the missile silo?
Written 23 July 2018
Yes you must go down a set of stairs to the actual missile.
Written 23 July 2018
How much time should one allow for a good overview of this museum?
Written 25 April 2018
It depends on if you want to explore both the static displays on the outside and the exhibits inside. 30-45 minutes outside should be good to see most of the aircraft. The inside can be viewed for the most part in a few hours. I would go with 3-4 hours as Alli mentioned, too.
If you're in a hurry to get to Wall Drug, the Badlands, Deadwood, or Mt. Rushmore, 2 hours will give you time to see most of the exhibits and some of the static displays. It is free to visit but you can donate or purchase items from their gift shop.
Written 26 April 2018
Are dogs on leashes allowed to walk around the outside portion?
Written 24 April 2017
S-D-Air-Spce-Museum
Box Elder, South Dakota
Yes they sure are! Leashed dogs can freely walk around the outside exhibits. We just ask that you clean up after your pet as you tour the museum. Thanks for asking!
Written 24 April 2017
Looks really interesting. We were just in Lithuania and toured a Soviet missile silo so we'd love to see how a US installation compares. Is the museum open in late May? Thank you!
Written 9 February 2017
SDAirandSpaceMuseum
Box Elder, South Dakota
The museum should be open in late May from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, 7 days a week. The museum does offer a tour of a Minuteman II trainer missile silo on Ellsworth AFB, but some restrictions apply due to the REAL ID act. Please us a call a little closer to your arrival date to confirm bus tour availability. Thanks!
Written 9 February 2017
We will be in Rapid City in early October (5th- 8th) and this sounds interesting. Is there any changes to note for the fall season?
Written 22 September 2015
Bus tours ended the 18th of September and the museum's hours changed back to their winter hours of 8.30 - 4.30.
Written 25 September 2015
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