Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Landsat
Science at EROS
Home to one of the largest civilian archives of land images in the world, USGS EROS is open to tours on weekdays. Learn about the Landsat satellite program, view imagery of our planet, and walk the historic halls of the data center.
Plan Your Visit
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Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
EROS is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Staff-guided tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Self-guided tours are welcome anytime during business hours
Group tours and larger gatherings are welcome with notice. Tours can be scheduled during business hours on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 605-594-6511 or email gs_eros_outreach@usgs.gov for scheduling or further information.
The science center is located about ten miles north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Free parking passes will be issued at the security checkpoint upon arrival before proceeding to the parking lot, located near the front of the building. Tours can be customized to different age levels, knowledge levels, and interests.
Know Before You Go
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The EROS Director’s Office and Facilities Management are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors to our facility. The following information is intended to inform EROS visitors of the safety and security requirements to better ensure that everyone has an enjoyable visit.
Vehicle Screening and Parking
- All visitors must stop at the main gate to receive additional instructions.
- All public visitors’ vehicles are screened prior to being allowed access onto Federal property.
- A parking pass will be issued, and you will be directed to the visitor parking lot.
Facility Entry
- Upon entering the main lobby, you will be processed through a security checkpoint.
- Bring only items that are necessary. Cameras and video recorders are allowed inside the facility with some restrictions.
- Animals are not allowed on Federal property unless they are documented working animals with a valid license or certification to do so.
Identification Requirements
USGS requires all visitors to present government-issued identification for access to its facilities.
- All visitors aged 18 or older will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification (Federal, State, or local), such as a driver's license, an enhanced driver license, or a passport.
- Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (parent, sponsor, or guardian) that can verify identities.
- All public visitors driving a vehicle must have a driver license.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What time are tours at EROS?
EROS is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff-guided tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Self-guided tours are welcome anytime during business hours.
- Wednesday, January 1, New Year's Day
- Thursday, January 9, National Day of Mourning
- Monday, January 20, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Inauguration Day
- Monday, February 17, Washington's Birthday
- Monday, May 26, Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 19, Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 04, Independence Day
- Monday, September 01, Labor Day
- Monday, October 13, Columbus Day
- Tuesday, November 11, Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day
Are there group tours at EROS?
Group tours and larger gatherings are welcome with notice. Tours can be scheduled during business hours on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 605-594-6511 or email gs_eros_outreach@usgs.gov for scheduling and further information.
Is there a cost?
There is no cost to visit EROS. The tour and parking are both free to the visitor.
Does EROS accommodate for disabilities?
EROS strives to be an accessible and accepting destination. The Center is equipped with wheelchair-accessible parking, ramps, and exhibits. Videos throughout the exhibits are captioned. All entrances are at the ground-level. Restrooms throughout the center are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Feel free to call the center with specific question about accessibility options.
Where is the EROS Center located?
The science center is located about 10 miles north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The address is:
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57198
Related
Start exploring EROS from the comfort of your own home. Here are podcast episodes, images, and videos to get you started.
Eyes on Earth Episode 86 - Tours at EROS
The USGS EROS Center is the home of the Landsat satellite archive. This data center and science center located on a former farm near Sioux Falls, SD, is one of the largest civilian archives of land imaging in the world. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we discuss what visitors to EROS will learn on a tour, including examples of land change seen by Landsat and why EROS is located where it is. Find...
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Eyes on Earth Episode 81 - Tour of the EROS Radome
The Landsat satellites have been collecting Earth imagery for more than 50 years. A key piece of equipment that moves the data from the spacecraft to the archive so researchers can use it is the antenna at the EROS Center. The antenna and its radome have a fascinating history of their own that adds to the overall Landsat story.
The Landsat satellites have been collecting Earth imagery for more than 50 years. A key piece of equipment that moves the data from the spacecraft to the archive so researchers can use it is the antenna at the EROS Center. The antenna and its radome have a fascinating history of their own that adds to the overall Landsat story.
Determining Land Change Display
An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.
An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.
Determining Land Change Display with Viewers
Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.
Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.
An Overview of EROS
The EROS mission is to document and study changes to earth. With a vast archive of imagery from multiple sources, the EROS archive is the longest continuous record or earth's changing landscapes.
The EROS mission is to document and study changes to earth. With a vast archive of imagery from multiple sources, the EROS archive is the longest continuous record or earth's changing landscapes.
1975 - EROS Tour Pecora I
EROS Data Center tour during the PECORA I conference.
EROS Data Center tour during the PECORA I conference.
EROS Data Center Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS)
A 1973 video from the EROS History Project on the value of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), which was later renamed Landsat.
A 1973 video from the EROS History Project on the value of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), which was later renamed Landsat.
Related
Start exploring EROS from the comfort of your own home. Here are podcast episodes, images, and videos to get you started.
Eyes on Earth Episode 86 - Tours at EROS
The USGS EROS Center is the home of the Landsat satellite archive. This data center and science center located on a former farm near Sioux Falls, SD, is one of the largest civilian archives of land imaging in the world. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we discuss what visitors to EROS will learn on a tour, including examples of land change seen by Landsat and why EROS is located where it is. Find...
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
USGS EROS Tour
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Individuals, families, classrooms, and other organizations are all welcome to visit EROS. A free one-hour walking tour brings remote sensing science to life with satellite models, large displays, and knowledgeable staff.
Eyes on Earth Episode 81 - Tour of the EROS Radome
The Landsat satellites have been collecting Earth imagery for more than 50 years. A key piece of equipment that moves the data from the spacecraft to the archive so researchers can use it is the antenna at the EROS Center. The antenna and its radome have a fascinating history of their own that adds to the overall Landsat story.
The Landsat satellites have been collecting Earth imagery for more than 50 years. A key piece of equipment that moves the data from the spacecraft to the archive so researchers can use it is the antenna at the EROS Center. The antenna and its radome have a fascinating history of their own that adds to the overall Landsat story.
Determining Land Change Display
An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.
An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.
Determining Land Change Display with Viewers
Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.
Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.
An Overview of EROS
The EROS mission is to document and study changes to earth. With a vast archive of imagery from multiple sources, the EROS archive is the longest continuous record or earth's changing landscapes.
The EROS mission is to document and study changes to earth. With a vast archive of imagery from multiple sources, the EROS archive is the longest continuous record or earth's changing landscapes.
1975 - EROS Tour Pecora I
EROS Data Center tour during the PECORA I conference.
EROS Data Center tour during the PECORA I conference.
EROS Data Center Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS)
A 1973 video from the EROS History Project on the value of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), which was later renamed Landsat.
A 1973 video from the EROS History Project on the value of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), which was later renamed Landsat.