
The Black Mailbox
Situated along Nevada State Route 375—also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway—the Black Mailbox has been a decades-long meeting place for extraterrestrial-obsessed road trippers to try their luck at eyeing a UFO or sending a message into the unknown.
A decades-long meeting place for the alien-obsessed, this storied landmark is a must-stop on any journey through central Nevada.
Hoping to have an extraterrestrial encounter of your own? Thanks to its proximity to Area 51, the Black Mailbox might just be your chance.
What is the Black Mailbox?
Almost always adorned with stickers and scribbled messages, the Black Mailbox is a drop spot for extraterrestrial communications. Inside the Black Mailbox, you’ll find all kinds of alien offerings at any given time, ranging from heartfelt words and otherworldly trinkets to hats and cans of beer. Plan ahead and pen a note to leave behind, or improvise with what you find in the car. No two visits to the Black Mailbox will ever result in the same experience.
Today, the Black Mailbox has become an offbeat, American landmark for UFO seekers. Extraterrestrial enthusiasts travel for miles to see the iconic mailbox and some even camp out overnight in hopes of seeing an alien spaceship. It’s the perfect only-in-Nevada destination for those who are looking to get a little out there.

The History of the Black Mailbox in Nevada
Ever since former Area 51 employee Bob Lazar told imaginative tales of top-secret government initiatives involving life from other planets, this remote stretch of road between Alamo and Rachel, Nevada has attracted countless travelers hoping for an otherworldly encounter. In addition to claiming he watched regularly scheduled UFO flights along what’s now known as the E.T. Highway, Lazar also brought tourists to the now-famous Black Mailbox as a meeting place, promising chances to spot alien spacecraft.
The not-so-lucky former owner of the mailbox, Steve Medlin, has lived on a cattle ranch in the Tikaboo Valley for years. Medlin doesn’t believe in aliens, nor has he seen any air traffic beyond U.S. military flights coming and going from the nearby air force base. After decades of mail theft and vandalism, he moved his mailbox off the highway and closer to his ranch. It was soon replaced by the mysterious—and now-famous—Black Mailbox.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Don’t leave fellow extraterrestrial enthusiasts in a lurch. Stealing the Black Mailbox wrecks the fun for everyone, and you never know what eyes in the skies may be watching…
Know Before You Go
The Black Mailbox lies at the intersection of State Route 375 and Mail Box Road. If you get turned around or have problems spotting it, ask the folks at the Alien Research Center or Little A’Le’Inn for help. And even if you don’t, be sure to swing through both of these see-’em-to-believe-’em stops.
The Extraterrestrial Highway is a remote stretch of road and doesn’t see much traffic (often less than 200 cars per day). Be sure to fuel up before leaving Tonopah or Alamo, and remember that cell service along this route ranges from spotty to nonexistent.
The Black Mailbox may be the only landmark for miles, but the stargazing here? Outta this world. With almost zero nearby light pollution, dazzling sunsets give way to a blanket of stars, perfect for UFO spotting or astrophotography.
This Location:

City
RachelRegion
Central