Area 51: All You Need To Know Before You Go
Area 51, also known as Homey Airport or Groom Lake, is a highly secret United States Air Force installation that is situated in the arid terrain of southern Nevada.
Despite being a restricted location, the site has become the center of several conspiracy theories involving UFOs and aliens and has established a tourist attraction.
We’ll cover all you need to know about Area 51 in this article, from how to get there to the best things to do, the best facilities, safety and regulations, and nearby attractions.
Contents
Area 51: All You Need To Know Before You Go
Why Area 51 is Worth Visiting
A Las Vegas Area 51 trip serves as one of the greatest unusual day excursions from Las Vegas since it is not available anywhere else. It’s one of the most fascinating sites to visit in Nevada due to the stories and concepts surrounding this institution.
There is also an Area 51 trip from Las Vegas that will bring you to these fascinating locales and explain further the veil of mystery surrounding extraterrestrial research.
Getting There
Area 51 is a United States Air Force installation located in the Nevada desert, approximately 153 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
The surrounding region is open to curious travelers looking for answers concerning otherworldly happenings.
Transportation Options
Keep in mind that Area 51 is not an entertainment park, but rather a highly classified military complex. As a result, you must heed the warnings that identify the restricted region, where driving or walking is strictly prohibited.
By Car
The best route from Las Vegas to Area 51 is to take Interstate 93 north to Crystal Springs. Then go to Rachel via the Extraterrestrial Highway. The trip takes about 2.5 hours.
Before you go, ensure you bring a full tank of gasoline because this place is quite isolated.
Guided Tour
Area 51-day tours take a full day and frequently involve hotel pick-ups in Las Vegas to ensure a pleasant adventure.
This is an easy way to see the vast and dry Area 51, with skilled local guides showing you all the best sites.
You will be picked up at a lodging facility or meeting spot in Las Vegas and whisked away in complete secrecy to begin your Area 51-day trip.
The 2.5-hour drive takes you across the Nevada Desert and down the Extraterrestrial Highway until arriving in Rachel. This is the closest community to the military post, and most of the attractions are located along this busy stretch of road.
Driving Directions
From Las Vegas
- Leaving Las Vegas, take I-15 North for approximately twenty-five miles out of town.
- Take exit 64 for US-93 North/Great Basin Highway. At the end of that off-ramp, turn left and drive straight into the desert.
- You’ll encounter the Alamo and Ash Springs at the end of this section of the journey. Turn left onto US-93 N/Great Basin Hwy just beyond the Shell.
- Take the NV-318 N/NV-375 N/State Hwy 375 exit.
You’ll See The Extraterrestrial Highway Sign
- The very first Extraterrestrial Highway Sign appears as you exit US-93 onto State Highway 375.
You’ll See The Alien Research Center
- The Alien Research Center is a little roadside attraction located approximately one mile away from the Extraterrestrial Highway Sign.
You’ll See The Black Mailbox
- A square white mailbox (previously painted black and known as the Black Mailbox) may be found around mile markers 30 and 29.
- The Front Gate is little more than a huge sign that states “Keep out.” The Front Gate is roughly a 20-mile drive away.
You’ll See The A’Le’Inn
- Rachel’s closest encounter with a tourist attraction is this restaurant and souvenir shop. It’s a must-see for real extraterrestrial aficionados, and many of the residents are kind and willing to chat about what they’ve seen in the night sky.
You’ll See The Back Gate
- The Back Gate dirt road branches off HWY 375 around mile markers 12 & 11. It is only one road between the mile markers, and traffic emanating from that route is stopped.
- The Back Gate is around eight kilometers from HWY 375. The initial five miles are soil, with the latter two or three miles being paved.
Whether or whether aliens are hiding beyond the mountain, there remains a rigid military policy that cannot be broken or challenged. If you attempt to cross the barrier, you will be punished and arrested.
Entrance Fees and Passes
A full-day journey to Area 51 costs around $189 and $217 for each individual and lasts 10 hours. Here are some of the features that are included:
- Bottled water
- An occasional snack on the trip
- Lunch
- A professional tour guide
- Small-group tours are all included.
- Pick-up and drop-off services are included.
Best Things To Do In Area 51
This barren stretch of road definitely sets the stage for extraterrestrial encounters. Your first visit should be at the entry sign, which is popular with sci-fi fans who want to capture a little nostalgia with their cameras.
While what happens there is not public knowledge, you can tour the base’s perimeter as well as adjacent attractions and landmarks associated with Area 51. Here are a few of the most popular Area 51 activities.
1. Janet Airlines or Mccarran International Airport
You will go to the United States as part of your Area 51 excursion. The Air Force’s secret “Janet Airlines” transports Area 51 staff in addition to the Nevada National Security Site.
The majority of day excursions to Area 51 depart from McCarran International Airport, which is operated by the top-secret Janet Airlines.
Officially, the airline exists, but unmarked planes have been delivering personnel to Area 51 for decades.
2. The Extraterrestrial Highway
In just over 90 minutes, you’ll arrive in Crystal Springs, home to Nevada’s second most famous road sign, the Extraterrestrial Highway Sign. The Extraterrestrial Highway, the unofficial name for Nevada State Route 375, is the major route on your Area 51 day trip.
Along with the cows as well as Joshua trees, there is much extraterrestrial rubbish to see along the way. Within minutes, you’ll stumble onto the Black Mailbox, a not official gathering point for UFO enthusiasts and believers.
3. Alien Research Center
This strange structure may be seen right at the start of the Extraterrestrial Highway. It’s worth the short trip to grab a selfie with the mega-alien and to enter the structure, which has a tiny museum and a science fiction-themed gift shop.
While you’re there, check out the road sign marking the beginning of the Extraterrestrial Highway, that’s plastered with stickers and flyers left by alien hunters who have gone through.
You could learn further about Area 51 and its neighboring sights here, as well as shop for gifts and souvenirs.
4. Wildlife Viewing
Area 51 has always piqued the interest of conspiracy theories and UFO aficionados. Many people are unaware that the area around the controversial military facility is also a refuge for wildlife aficionados, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness some of the region’s most intriguing animals.
Wildlife:
- Bighorn Sheep
- Greater Roadrunner
- Desert Pupfish
- Burrowing Owls
- Mountain Lion
Plants and Flowers:
- Creosote Bush
- Joshua trees
- Mormon tea
- Cholla
- White bursage
- Desert marigold
5. Camping
Outside of Rachel, the majority of the area that includes the Extraterrestrial Highway is public land. There are no barriers, and you are free to camp wherever you choose. Please clean up all rubbish before you go if you do.
Here are a few options for ideal camping spots:
Black Mailbox
This is a popular place for skywatchers, and you’re likely to have companions here throughout the summer. There used to be a neighboring ranch’s black mailbox here.
Campfire Hill
This campground is situated on a tiny hill within the boundary of the top-secret United States Air Force facility known as Area 51. It is on public ground, but if you camp here, you can nearly guarantee that perimeter security will come by at night.
Visitor Centers and Facilities
The Nevada Test Site, where the United States tested nuclear weapons from the 1950s until the 1990s and the Nevada Test and Training Range are also nearby.
Make the most of your holiday by exploring the region’s tourist attractions and facilities. Here are some of the facilities you could see if you go to Area 51.
Area 51 Alien Center
The outside of the structure is enough to entice most cars off the highway, with a brilliant green and pink paint job replete with an excited extraterrestrial theme.
Then there’s the gas station and travel center, which are packed with everything alien-themed you can think of.
Although there is a licensed brothel on-premise that plays into all of your alien and top-secret Area 51 ideas, this timeless Roadside America-style break is a must-see for every NV road tripper.
Parking
There is no free parking available near Area 51. Fortunately, you may purchase the Area-51 Parking Permit Top Secret Authorized Gate Pass necessary for East Gate Security Verification.
Safety and Regulations
- It’s illegal to enter the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base.
- Respect the signage.
- Armed men in white vehicles and camouflage fatigues patrol the perimeter.
- Trespassing and photographing are forbidden.
Be Cautious
There are several enjoyable rest stops. However, it is vital to note the fact that you remain in near proximity to Area 51 during this journey. Keep an appropriate distance near Area 51 when traveling the Extraterrestrial Highway.
Weather in Area 51
Get ready for the weather before embarking upon your Alien Highway road adventure. Nevada’s cold season lasts around three months, from November to February. The weather is warm during this time of year.
The months of spring, summer, and fall are substantially hotter. July is the warmest month in Nevada.
If you’re traveling the Extraterrestrial Highway during the summer, make sure you have lots of water, sunscreen, and clothes that will keep the sun off of your body.
Wildlife Safety
As visitors and tourists throng to the region to see this intriguing sight, wildlife safety and conservation must be prioritized. eating the animals can alter their normal eating habits and cause them to become reliant on people for sustenance. This might result in hostile behavior and, in the end, injury to the animal.
Nearby Attractions
Despite the fact that it is a top-secret military installation, the surrounding region has a lot of intriguing sights and activities for tourists to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for UFO sightings, natural marvels, or off-road thrills, Area 51 has something for everyone.
Rachel, Nevada
Rachel, Nevada, located right off the Alien Highway, is a favorite site for individuals wanting to see alien activity.
During the summer, Rachel is a favorite location for campers who come to explore the area’s many ancient mines and ghost towns, as well as to search the night sky for UFOs.
In reality, whether you believe in UFOs or not, experiencing a night in the desert free of any sort of light pollution is a memory you will never forget. Many amateur astronomers visit to take advantage of the great viewing conditions.
Little A’Le’Inn
The Little A’le’Inn is a must-see destination on every Area 51 tour. Visitors from all across the country come to this extraterrestrial-themed café and lodging.
Visitors may look at images of supposed first-person UFO accounts and buy unusual merchandise that is difficult to obtain elsewhere.
The Little A’Le’Inn contains 5 units, each with 2 to 3 rooms. Because each apartment includes a communal bathroom, you must rent the entire unit if you want a private bathroom.
The National Atomic Testing Museum
The National Atomic Testing Museum, situated in Las Vegas, organizes Nevada National Security Site trips in Area 51, where you may enter a historic, restricted nuclear-testing region of 400 kilometers. The National Atomic Testing Museum is the country’s sole official atomic museum.
The museum introduced an Area 51 display in 2012, replete with alien vision glasses, newspaper articles concerning UFO encounters, and other items. The museum’s general entry is $22, and the Area 51 display is $6.
Expect to witness the remains of a built settlement, a nuclear waste complex, and one of the world’s largest man-made craters.
Conclusion
Although the truth surrounding Area 51 may never be completely revealed, it’s still a fascinating and enigmatic element of history.
Whether you support conspiracy theories or not, the attraction of the distant desert site and its link to a number of the world’s modern military technology cannot be denied.
After learning everything there is to know about Area 51, from how to get there to the best activities, facilities, safety and regulations, and other attractions, it is clear that visiting Area 51 at least once is highly recommended if you are in the area..
When you happen to be in Las Vegas, this Extraterrestrial Highway is absolutely worth seeing for anybody curious about the intriguing realm of Area 51.
