Visit one of the most unique tourist attractions in Canada !

Imagine if you can, sitting at your desk in the mid-60’s as a Member of Parliament or as a senior military officer.   Suddenly, your secretary or aide barges into your office, escorts you to a waiting car, and before you know what is happening, you are racing into the countryside west of Canada’s capital city of Ottawa.   As fast as your military driver can get you there, you arrive at Canadian Forces Base Carp, the Central Emergency Government Headquarters, about 22 miles from Ottawa.   

At the gate, the military sentry motions your car towards the entry of the 378 foot long blast tunnel.    As you exit the car, the sound of air raid sirens can be heard wailing in the distance.     You are led inside the blast tunnel to the 14 inch thick, 4000 lbs main doors.    As you enter, you notice the station’s crest, Cerberus, the mythological three headed dog that guards the gates of Hades.   

Welcome to the Diefenbunker !

The four-story, 300 room, 100,000 square foot bunker, buried deep underground was meant to house Canadian government officials and military officers in the event of a nuclear war. Shrouded in mystery, the Diefenbunker, nicknamed after then Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, was designed and built in secrecy during the crest of Cold War fear, between 1959 and 1961.

With its extraordinary engineering and architectural features, the Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum is a poignant reminder of one of the most turbulent periods of modern history.

Public tours are available, by appointment ONLY, by calling 800-409-1965.     For admission information, hours, etc. visit the Dienfenbunker website.

3911 Carp Road, Carp, Ontario, K0A 1L0