Florida Urban Exploration: Abandoned Rocket Site Outside Of Everglades National Park

Author Joe Winner

January 21st, 2022 2:04 PM

Just on the edge of the Everglades is a place known as Known as the Aerojet-Dade Rocket Facility, which once manufactured rockets and missiles for the military. There’s a lot of sites perfect for Florida Urban Exploration, but this one’s a true gem. According to OnlyInFlorida, “Aerojet Dade is an abandoned rocket testing and manufacturing facility located right on the edge of the Florida Everglades. The way this facility came to be was in 1963 when Aerojet General was given a contract from the U.S. Air Force for $3 million dollars to build a rocket manufacturing and test site. This facility aimed to build and test rockets that would send astronauts to the moon.”

Underneath a shed is a 150foot deep silo that contained the solid rocket fuel motor. In 1986 NASA awarded the Space Shuttle booster rocket contract to a competitor and the facility was closed. Exploring sites like this is dangerous, and usually illegal. We recommend you watch the video of others doing it for you:

And that’s not the only interesting relic in the area. A short 14 mile drive away…

…. is the abandoned HM69 Nike Missile Base. This place is significant because during the Cold War it actually housed nuclear warheads that were ready to be launched if needed. Yep, Nuclear missiles were ready to go just a few miles down the road from us. What makes this place different from other abandoned military sites is that the Parks Service gives guided tours. Click this link for instructions and pack the kids to go see an actual Cold War missile and support buildings that I imagine were incredibly active during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I wasn’t born yet, so I can only imagine how insane things were in South Florida during those times. Those Russian nuclear missiles were only about 200 miles away from Naples. If those Cuban missiles were launched towards 5th Ave. South, it probably would’ve been the warheads at this base to retaliate.

Here’s some pictures of the Mike Missile Base taken in 2010:

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A sign is seen on the wall of a building that was used to support the launching of conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A rocket is seen painted on the wall of a building that was used to support the launching of conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A sign is seen at the entrance to the missle base that was built to launch either conventional or nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, opens the doors to one of the three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, prepares to open the gate to the entrance of the missle base that was built to launch either conventional or nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, is seen in a building that was used to support the launching of conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A picture on display shows a Nike missle in one of the "barns" that is part of one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, walks down an embankment next to one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Pictures show Nike missles in one of the "barns" that is part of one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A sign is painted in one of the "barns" that is part of one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A bunker is seen that is attached to one of the three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: A telephone is seen in one of the "barns" that is part of one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, looks at some of the electrical circuits in one of the three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, stands next to a door leading to a bunker attached to one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Share

  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Ryan Meyer, Nike Missile Site Coordinator for Everglades National Park, stands next to a door leading to a bunker attached to one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cold War Relic Serves As Reminder Of Past Nuclear Standoff With Russia

  Share

  EVERGLADES CITY, FL - APRIL 08: Snakes take up residence on a door leading to a bunker attached to one of three facilities that were used to store and potentially launch both conventional and nuclear tipped Nike missiles in reaction to any Russian attack in the Everglades National Park on April 8, 2010 near Everglades City, Florida. As U.S. President Barack Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign their nuclear arms control treaty today, relics like this former missile site are a reminder of how far the relationship between the United States and Russia has come. The missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War and was finally closed in 1979. Former workers whom the park service has interviewed say the site contained nuclear tip warheads that were ready to be fired if needed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Florida Urban Exploration

Get The K-Rock Report Delivered Right To Your Inbox

Get the latest Rock and local stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Joe Winner

Category:

• Trending Locally
• Joe Winner
• Lifestyle

Tags:

everglades,Florida,nike missle base,urban exlloring,urban exploration