Athena Launch Complex | Wild Camping
United States
Details
- Verified:
- 8 months ago
- GPS:
- 38.94181, -110.07761
- Altitude:
- 1322.0 masl
- Website:
- None
- Contributor:
-
Fabian Pickel
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- No
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- No
- Toilets:
- No
- Big Rig Friendly:
- Yes
- Tent Friendly:
- No
- Pet Friendly:
- No
Something not right?
Description
iOverlander cannot verify if wild camping is permitted at this location. It is your responsibility to verify local laws or obtain consent before staying the night.
If you ever wanted to camp beside an abandoned nuclear missile silo, here is your chance. Still can't believe this.
Several level spots right beside or on the concrete launch pads or infront of the control bunker.
Free, very quiet, good vistas. Gates on all sides are open, seems to be BLM land these days. Needless to say, the place has a bit of an aura of death.
The paved access road is a bit rough. Big rigs should watch out for the washouts (can drive around).
If you keep driving about 300m further than the spot marked here, you'll come to a fantastic spot outside the fenced area. Incredible 360 degrees views from a ridge, level concrete pad, space to turn around your rig.
Disclaimer: I didn't bring my Geiger counter.
Athena and Pershing missiles were tested here until 1979. From what I read online the area has been decontaminated (asbestos, uranium). There is a nuclear waste dump in town. On the web it said the soil right next to the pads was problematic, so maybe not the ideal sandpit for your kids or the dog. Also, asbestos concerns (and shattered glass) would deter me from popping my tent in one of the remaining structures or on that soil.
Photos
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Latest Check-Ins
Awesome spot, kinda creepy but fascinating. We stayed at the top, was a little windy in the night but okay so far. There is also a fire pit on the top. Super quiet at night…spooky.we were completely alone there…oh and a rabbit running around :)
Report Check-InWe slept on Pad 3. For more reading on the history go to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_River_Launch_Complex
Report Check-InOne of the most unique places I've ever camped. This iOverlander pin is centered on Green River Launch Pad #1, the concrete slab in front of the large open building with the garage style door. I was going to camp at the next spot (outside the gates, on top of the hill) but found it to be a bit
too windy). The semi-paved road to get here is potholed in spots, so it pays to go slow. Any vehicle should be able to make it. Tons of level camping options for my skoolie. Undeniably creepy but also really fascinating to wander around the abandoned buildings. Heavy winds and loose metal bits slapping around woke me up at night, but other than that it was a great place to stay. No one else here... dead silent at night.
Mostly as advertised, really really cool to check out. This was a missile test site, not a nuclear missile silo. The missiles were stood up and launched from pads, not stored to be launched in case of nuclear war. The military didn’t store uranium at this facility, that’s actually much closer to Green River on the other side of I70 where there was a refinement facility. No need to fear radiation here, we weren’t in the habit of radiating places where people live and work. Having said that this place was used and abused by the military for decades, be careful.
Report Check-InSuper cool abandoned test site. Went to the pad on top of the hill with great views of the valley check your weather for wind if you choose the top.
Report Check-InCool place to check out and stay!
the road noise from I 70 was very minimal, plenty of level places to camp and plenty of history to see. the coolest campsite is definitely the cliffside one up by the four electric poles, however it was so windy during the night that I drove down the hill a bit. three bars of Verizon LTE.
Pretty sweet little spot. Amazing place to look around. Spent the night next to the middle delivery shed up top. It was a cold night of 5 degrees. True piece of military history.
https://twitter.com/nightwolfpack11/status/1348377822721581056?s=21
Report Check-InWe didn't like this place!
Had a look around but moved on to find a better spot
Very cool place.. It is a creepy place but awesome. We camped a few hundred yards away since I forgot my ginger counter.
Report Check-InIt’s at a beautiful location. Amazing place to fly drones as well with the abandoned buildings. A couple deep potholes yet able to drive around them. Thank Fabian for sharing this!!
Report Check-InIf you ever wanted to camp beside an abandoned nuclear missile silo, here is your chance. Still can't believe this.
Several level spots right beside or on the concrete launch pads or infront of the control bunker.
Free, very quiet, good vistas. Gates on all sides are open, seems to be BLM land these days. Needless to say, the place has a bit of an aura of death.
The paved access road is a bit rough. Big rigs should watch out for the washouts (can drive around).
If you keep driving about 300m further than the spot marked here, you'll come to a fantastic spot outside the fenced area. Incredible 360 degrees views from a ridge, level concrete pad, space to turn around your rig.
Disclaimer: I didn't bring my Geiger counter.
Athena and Pershing missiles were tested here until 1979. From what I read online the area has been decontaminated (asbestos, uranium). There is a nuclear waste dump in town. On the web it said the soil right next to the pads was problematic, so maybe not the ideal sandpit for your kids or the dog. Also, asbestos concerns (and shattered glass) would deter me from popping my tent in one of the remaining structures or on that soil.