The road into the Ironwood Forest National Monument doesn't look like much. Flat desert, saguaros, the Silver Bell Mountains in the distance. Then you reach Johnston Mine Road and the interpretive signs, and you realize what's buried beneath the ground you're standing on.

For nearly a quarter century, Southern Arizona was one of the most strategically dangerous places on earth — and almost nobody knew it. The infamous Titan II nuclear-tipped missiles ringed Tucson and were pointed at the USSR for nearly 20 years beginning in the early 1960s. The hardened underground complexes were capable of withstanding a near-direct strike from a Soviet nuclear missile. The 390th Strategic Missile Wing, headquartered at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, was active from 1962–84 and had command of 18 sites in Southern Arizona.

The Titan II was capable of launching from its underground silo in 58 seconds and could deliver a nine-megaton thermonuclear warhead to its target more than 6,300 miles away in less than thirty minutes. For more than two decades, the complexes stood on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each four-person crew was trained, ready, and waiting.

The Ironwood Forest Interpretive Site — Site 570-3

On November 17, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Air Force dedicated the Titan II Missile Interpretive Site inside the Ironwood Forest National Monument — converting Site 570-3 into a historical interpretive site with signage, parking, and accessible flat walking areas off Johnston Mine Road. Volunteers from the Friends of Ironwood Forest contributed many hours clearing and preparing the site.

The interpretive panels tell the story of the Titan II program, the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, and what life was like for the crews who manned these sites around the clock for over two decades. The views of the Waterman Mountains from the site are outstanding — and if you're lucky, desert bighorn sheep may be visible on the surrounding ridgelines.

This site was visited on the same day trip as Ironwood Forest National Monument, Sasco Ghost Town and Silver Bell Cemetery — all three locations are accessible along the same northwest Tucson corridor and make an excellent combined day.

• Interpretive site is free — no fees, no reservations required.

• Flat, accessible walking surface with interpretive signage

• Managed by BLM Tucson Field Office in partnership with U.S. Air Force

• OnX mapping error: 570-3 Interpretive Trail is incorrectly labeled as "571-7" in OnX — actual 571-7 is the museum in Sahuarita

E Missile Base Road — Site 570-14

A Second Accessible Surface Site

A second former Titan II launch site is accessible nearby at the end of E Missile Base Road, Marana. This is an accessible surface site where the concrete silo cap, access hatches, and scattered above-ground ruins are visible. The underground silo is sealed with concrete — do not attempt to access.

This location has been personally visited and documented with photos. See the photo gallery for images of the surface features at this site. Standing on the cap and looking out across the Sonoran Desert, the contrast between the silence of the landscape and the purpose of what lies beneath is something that stays with you.

• E Missile Base Road surface site (#14): accessible, no fee, no facilities — GPS 32°31'23.5"N, 111°14'22.1"W

The 18 Sites of Southern Arizona

The 390th Strategic Missile Wing operated two squadrons — the 570th SMS controlled sites to the north and west of Tucson, while the 571st SMS controlled sites to the south. Together they formed a complete ring of nuclear deterrence.

The numbering system used informally (1 through 18) reflects the sequential order sites came online. The official military designations run 570-1 through 570-9 (northwest cluster) and 571-1 through 571-9 (south cluster).

Known Sites by Location

Note: OnX maps labels the 570-3 Interpretive Trail site as "571-7" — this is a mapping error. The actual 571-7 is the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita.

The Titan Missile Museum — Site 571-7

The Full Experience

At the Titan Missile Museum near Tucson, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site — complex 571-7 — is all that remains of the 54 Titan II sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987. It is the only place in the country where you can go underground into a fully preserved operational silo, complete with an inert Titan II missile still in the launch tube. It is a National Historic Landmark and the experience is unlike anything else in Arizona.

• Tours must be booked in advance — walk-ins are not guaranteed. Titan Missile Museum (full underground experience): 1580 W Duval Mine Road, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 | titanmissilemuseum.org | (520) 625-7736 — fee required, book in advance

Family Homestead  — Site 571-1

One of the most remarkable stories in the Titan II world is unfolding at a privately owned site near Benson. A Missouri family purchased the decommissioned complex — Site 571-1 — and is actively renovating it, building a container home above the sealed silo and working to reopen the underground structure. Filmmaker Kirsten Dirksen documented a full walkthrough on YouTube. It is a fascinating window into what these structures look like from the inside when someone actually opens them back up. The property is private — not open to the public. youtube.com/@kirstendirksen — "Titan II missile silo Arizona"

Atomic Underground — Site 570-6

The YouTube channel Atomic Underground (youtube.com/@atomicunderground9971) documents Site 570-6 — another of the 18 former Titan II sites in the Southern Arizona ring. Their channel covers Cold War infrastructure and missile site exploration in depth. Worth watching for anyone wanting to go deeper into this history.

More Information

• Outdoor site — no shade; bring water and sun protection

• Underground silos at all sites are sealed with concrete — do not attempt to access

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