Area 51

Nevada is full of out-of-this-world experiences, and it doesn’t get more out of this world than Area 51.

In 2013, the United States government finally admitted to the existence of this hot spot for countless conspiracy theories. Part of an active military base that’s guarded by some of the heaviest security on Earth (or anywhere else), Area 51 and its remote surroundings have a long history of reported UFO sightings. Some say the unexplained aerial phenomena are test flights for top-secret, never-before-seen military aircraft. Others insist these alien activities are proof of otherworldly life. We only know one thing: The truth is out here.

What Happens at Area 51?

Area 51 is a military installation and a highly classified remote detachment of Nellis Air Force Base. It was built in 1955 to initially serve as a testing site for the U-2 spy plane. Although it has never been declared a “top-secret base,” the area is highly protected and restricts both land and air use. Other well-known aircraft tested at Area 51 include the Archangel-12, the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, and even the SR-71 Blackbird (the X-Men’s preferred mode of transportation).

Where is Area 51?

Area 51 is north of Las Vegas near Groom Lake, within the inaccessible Nevada Test and Training Range.

Keep in mind that Area 51 is not a tourist attraction. Although you can find it on a map, don’t expect to get even remotely close. The perimeter of the military base is marked with orange posts and patrolled by heavily-armed guards with zero tolerance for shenanigans. Signage around the base promises that deadly force is authorized against Area 51 trespassers whether they are attempting the “Storm Area 51” meme or hiking up to a vantage point. Thousands upon thousands of CCTV cameras and motion sensors all throughout the land leading up to the base’s perimeter guarantee immediate response times from security forces.

The closest town to Area 51 is Rachel, Nevada, which is a famous stop for alien enthusiasts on the Extraterrestrial Highway and roughly 150 miles from Las Vegas.

Alien Conspiracies & UFO Sightings at Area 51

Since the 1950s, Silver State skies have produced countless reports of unidentified flying objects accelerating to high speeds or performing strange aerial maneuvers. Because the development of prototype aircraft was classified, many mystified people assumed the never-before-seen technology must have come from another planet. There have been no confirmed sightings of flying saucers or alien lifeforms at Area 51…yet.

However, many conspiracy theories and claimed UFO sightings abound in Nevada. In 1989, Bob Lazar famously claimed he was part of a classified government project to reverse engineer alien spacecraft that was housed in Area 51. While Lazar was later discredited, it has sparked many conspiracy theories about extraterrestrial life and the secrets Area 51 may hold.

How Area 51 Got Its Name

The history has never been confirmed, but it’s alleged that Area 51 got its name from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The AEC oversaw the Nevada Test Site, which was mapped using a grid of numbered squares. While there was no Area 51 on the grid, the soon-to-be-secretive site did border Area 15. Some say the 15 was flipped, creating Area 51, while others believe 51 was chosen simply because the Nevada Test Site mapping grid was unlikely to reach such a high number. 

Mentions of an “Area 51” have been found in declassified documents, while government agencies also refer to the base as Homey Airport and Groom Lake. When Area 51 was first established, Lockheed—one of the U.S. government’s major partners in top-secret aircraft and spy plane development—called the area Paradise Ranch in an attempt to attract workers to the project. Today, Area 51 and the Nevada National Security Site are part of what is known as the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Get a robust look at the history of Area 51 and Nevada’s atomic age without traveling out of Las Vegas by checking out the National Atomic Testing Museum or the “Atomic Nevada” exhibit at the Nevada State Museum–Las Vegas.

Visiting Area 51, Nevada

Area 51, Nevada, remains a top-secret testing facility to this day, and the U.S. government and military don’t want you anywhere near it. The closest you can drive to Area 51 keeps you more than 15 rugged and carefully monitored miles away. Airspace near Area 51’s location is restricted as well.

We can neither confirm nor deny the secrets within Area 51, but we can tell you where to go for only-found-here extraterrestrial experiences. The Nevada National Security Site offers monthly tours that depart from the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas. Reservations open months in advance and fill up extremely fast, so pre-planning is key. While the visit doesn’t offer the chance to tour Area 51 itself, you can definitely get a sense of the martian-esque terrain as you tour more than 250 miles of the Nevada National Security Site that are generally off-limits to the general public.

Area 51 Attractions

There are plenty of things to do in southern Nevada near Area 51. One must-visit destination is Rachel, Nevada, known as the “UFO Capital of the World” and home to the Little A’Le’Inn. Earthlings can fuel up on the “World Famous Alien Burger” and a slice of homemade alienfruit pie or bed down for a night of stellar stargazing and UFO spotting. The Alien Research Center (just down the road from one of two Extraterrestrial Highway road signs) is another great stop for chatting all things out there and picking up one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Send a message into the unknown at the iconic Black Mailbox on State Route 375 and be on the lookout for alien spaceships. For tasty meats, road trip snacks, and only-found-here murals, plan a pit stop at E.T. Fresh Jerky.

Services are limited in this corner of the world, so always top off your gas tank and water supplies in Tonopah or Alamo. And before you go exploring Nevada’s anything-but-ordinary backcountry, get expert safety advice from our Dirt Road Code.

If you don’t want to pilot your own craft, you can hop on a full-day tour of all the best Extraterrestrial Highway attractions in a luxury vehicle (piloted by an actual ex-Air Force captain) with Area 51 Tours. The day trips run Wednesday through Sunday out of Las Vegas and include lunch, snacks, personalized photography tips, and more Area 51 stories and lore than you can shake your antennae at. So go on, get a little out there, and see what out-of-this-world adventures are waiting for you.