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The Paradise Ranch Frequently Asked Questions about Area 51
*What is Area 51?
Area 51 is a highly guarded military installation run by the United States Air Force. Many high valued "black projects" are developed and tested at area 51. In recent years, much of the stealth technology and UAV technology has been developed and tested at Area 51.
*Where is Area 51?
Area 51 shares a border with the Yucca Flat region of the Nevada Test Site (NTS), the location of 739 of the 928 nuclear tests conducted by the United States Department of Energy at NTS. The Yucca Mountain nuclear storage facility is approximately 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Groom Lake.
The designation "Area 51" appears on older maps of the NTS but not newer ones, yet the same naming scheme is used for other parts of the Nevada Test Site.
The area is connected to the internal NTS road network, with paved roads leading south to Mercury and west to Yucca Flat. Leading northeast from the lake, the wide and well-maintained Groom Lake Road runs through a pass in the Jumbled Hills. The road formerly led to mines in the Groom basin, but has been improved since their closure. Its winding course runs past a security checkpoint, but the restricted area around the base extends further east. After leaving the restricted area, Groom Lake Road descends eastward to the floor of the Tikaboo Valley, passing the dirt-road entrances to several small ranches, before converging with State Route 375, the "Extraterrestrial Highway", south of Rachel. *What will I see if I go out to Area 51?
The typical visit out to Area 51 consists of the "usual" sights. The security (cammo dudes) at Groom Lake Road, the two security cameras, and the infamous warning signs are typically the most common and interesting viewing spots of interest. The warning signs at Groom Lake Road is the closest place a person can legally get to Area 51. Unfortunately, there is no view of the base at this location. The official guard shack is approximately 0.85 miles past the signs and the base itself is about 11 miles from the warning signs. The "black mailbox" is easily seen from the ET HWY. There is plenty of room to pull off the highway and take pictures of the mailbox. Rachel, Nevada and the Little A Le Inn is about 20 minutes from the mailbox. Just outside of Rachel, is the back gate to Area 51 and the Nevada Test Site. This is the entrance where the white semi trucks bringing supplies into the base enter. If you are up for a hike, Tikaboo Peak offers one of the only remaining viewing spots of the actual base. It is quite a strenuous hike up to a summit of 8,000 feet. The summit is 26 miles from the base so a good pair of binoculars for viewing and a telescope for photography is needed. I have heard there are a few other peaks in the surrounding area that are quite a hike far from any roads, but offer a limited view of the actual base.
Visit the Lazy G Ranch for the best Area 51 photos on the net. The photos on this site are amazing!
*Are there Aliens or UFO's at Area 51?
I have my doubts about either being at Area 51 at this time or any other time in it's history. I have not found that one single undeniable piece of proof that anything extraterrestrial ever existed at Area 51. With that being said, I believe 100% that we are not alone in this Universe! Without questions, there is life out there and I believe we have been visited. I don't believe anything from Roswell was taken to Area 51 to be reverse engineered. Bob Lazar's story seems to be filled with many holes. I believe the alien folklore that surrounds Area 51 is the more fascinating than any "black project" that has ever been developed and tested at Area 51. This alien folklore is just as important to the Area 51 as anything else. I hope that someday, I can be proven wrong. Area 51 definitely is in a perfect location for such activity to take place.
*Who controls Area 51?
Area 51 is a desolate piece of land in the southwestern part of Lincoln County in southern Nevada, located in the southern edge of a large dry salt flat called Groom Lake. It lies within the Nevada Test and Training Range and is owned by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. Area 51 contains an airfield whose primary purpose is believed to be the operation and analysis of enemy aircraft and weapons systems, and secret development and testing of new military aircraft. Although the facilities at Nellis Air Force Base are managed by the 99th Air Base Wing, the Groom facility appears to be run as an adjunct of the Air Force Flight Test center at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, around 160 miles from Groom, and as such the base is know as Air Force Flight Test Center (Detachment 3).
*Has Area 51 gone by other names?
Other names used for the facility include Dreamland, Paradise Ranch, Home Base, Watertown Strip, and Groom Lake. The area is part of the Nellis Military Operations Area, and military pilots refer to the forbidden airspace around it (R-4808N) as the Box. Kelly Johnson, the U2's designer had jokingly nicknamed this Godforsaken place as Paradise Ranch, hoping to lure young and innocent flight crews. The designation "Area 51" is somewhat contentious, appearing on older maps of the NTS but not newer ones, yet the same naming scheme is used for other parts of the Nevada Test Site. The photo to the right shows Kelly Johnson writing Area 51 on the blackboard.
*What is the security like near the restricted area?
The military classifies Area 51 as a Military Operating Area (MOA). The borders of Area 51 are not fenced, but are marked with orange poles and warning signs. The signs tell you that photography isn't allowed and that trespassing on the property will result in a fine. The signs also offer this sobering note: Security is authorized to use deadly force on people who insist on trespassing. Rumors circulate among conspiracy theorists over how many unfortunate truth seekers have died as a result of tromping around the grounds of Area 51, though most believe that trespassers are dealt with in a much less violent manner.
Pairs of men who don't appear to be in the military patrol the perimeter. These guards are likely civilians hired from firms like Wackenhut or EG&G. Observers call them "cammo dudes" because they often wear desert camouflage. The cammo dudes usually drive around in four-wheel-drive vehicles, keeping an eye on anyone near the borders of Area 51. Supposedly, their instructions are to avoid contact with intruders, if possible, and act merely as both an observer and deterrent. If someone seems suspicious, the cammo dudes will call in the local sheriff to deal with him. Once in a while, the cammo dudes have confronted trespassers, allegedly seizing any film or other recording devices and intimidating the trespassers. Sometimes, helicopters provide additional support. There are rumors that the helicopter pilots occasionally use illegal tactics like hovering very low over trespassers to harass them.
Other security measures include sensors planted around the perimeter of the base. These sensors detect movement, and some believe they can even discern the difference between an animal and a human being. Since Area 51 is effectively a wildlife preserve, it was important to create warning devices that could not easily be tripped by a passing animal. One theory held by observers is that the sensors can detect the scent of the passing creature (the sensors detect an ammonia signature). While that has yet to be substantiated, it's certain that there are buried sensors all around Area 51.
*How many runways does Area 51 have?
The airbase, given the IATA airport identifier code of KXTA and listed as "Homey Airport" in aviation GPS databases, has seven runways including one that now appears to be closed. The closed runway, 14R/32L, is also by far the longest with a total length of approximately 7,093 meters (23,270 feet), not including stopway. The other runways are two asphalt runways, the 14L/32R with a length of 3,658 meters (12,000 feet) and 12/30 with a length of 1,652 meters (5,420 feet), and four runways located on the salt lake. These four runways are 09L/27R and 09R/27L, which are both approximately 3,489 meters (11,440 feet), and 03L/21R and 03R/21L, which are both approximately 3,057 meters (10,030 feet).
*Can a person fly over Area 51 in a private plane or a commercial jet?
The airspace above Area 51 is known as R-4808 and is restricted to all commercial and military flights not originating from the base itself (except the Janet commuters, of course). Area 51 is believed to be part of either Edwards Air Force Base in California or the Nellis Air Force Range in Nevada, even though pilots from those bases are forbidden to fly in Area 51's airspace. In fact, pilots who fly into one of the buffer zones surrounding R-4808 reportedly face punishment from their commanders, though it's reported as fairly lenient. Whenever a pilot flies through a buffer zone, the training exercise immediately ends and the pilot is ordered back to base. Knowingly flying into R-4808 is a much more serious offense, and pilots can face a court martial, dishonorable discharge and time in prison as a result.
*How do workers get out to Area 51?
It appears, a majority of the workers commute to Area 51 from Las Vegas. Several white airplanes with red stripes depart and return to Las Vegas each day. The planes shuttle workers to Area 51, the Tonopah Test Range, and Edwards Air Force Base. These planes are commonly referred to as JANET planes. Each weekend in Alamo, the white bus that is commonly seen in the many DVD's about Area 51, can be seen parked in the dirt area in front of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Annex. During the work week, approximately ten vehicles are parked there for the workers commuting on the bus. At the intersection of HWY 375 (Extraterrestrial Highway) and HWY 93 is another parking area for workers who commute on the bus. During the week, there is approximately five to seven cars in this area. Workers can enter the base through Groom Lake Road, the back gate or the main entrance of the Nevada Test Site. If workers go through the test site, they will enter Area 51 through Gate 700.
*What are the JANET planes?
Most commuters to Area 51 travel on unmarked Boeing 737s or 727s. Planes depart from the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (located right across the street from the Luxor Hotel and Casino). Defense contractor EG&G owns the terminal. Each plane uses the word "Janet" followed by three digits as a call sign to the airport's control tower.
*What happens if I accidently cross into the restricted area?
The security at Area 51 is very strict. Accidents don't appear to matter too much to the "cammo dudes". Crossing into the restricted area will certainly cause the "cammo dudes" to react. If a person stays on the public side of the border, the "cammo dudes" will simply watch from a nearby hill to make sure you do not cross into the restricted area. The "cammo dudes" will detain any person crossing into the restricted area for whatever reason. Once detained, the Lincoln County Sheriff deputy will be called to issue a very expensive citation. The citations are around $600 per person. I believe the citation from the Sheriff and a warning letter from the base commander to not enter the restricted area again is common. I have read accounts of foreign visitors making the mistake of crossing into the restricted area being cited and losing their passports. On occasion, it is interesting to read a story about somebody being arrested at the border for crossing and then taken to Pinoche to see a judge. Pinoche is the Lincoln County town where the judge and court overseeing Area 51 resides. Pinoche is located about 60 minutes from Area 51. Whatever happens to a person who crosses into the restricted area is not worth it. No part of the base can be seen for a number of miles past the warning signs. A person will certainly be detained before they could see anything of interest.
*How is the border of the restricted area marked?
I am not sure why, but there is NO gate at the warning signs of Groom Lake Road. The restricted area is marked with the warning signs and orange posts. The orange posts are placed about 50 meters apart. It is important to maintain eye sight of the orange post when walking around the area. I do not recommend walking anywhere off the main dirt road. It is safe to stay on the public side of the warning signs and easily recognizable. The border covers so much area there is no fence and the orange posts can be difficult to follow at times.
*Can I take photos at the warning signs?
The signs at the warnings signs prohibit any photography of the area, but there are countless photos and videos on the internet. It appears this law is not strictly enforced. I have taken photos and videos on numerous occasions and never had any problems with security.
*Is it easy to visit Area 51 without a guide?
If a person is prepared, it is not a difficult adventure. It is only about 1.5 hours from Las Vegas. The area is very desolate. Only a few cell phone services have service out there. The gas stations are very far a few between. It is important to gas up in Las Vegas and then again in Alamo or Ash Springs. There is NO gas in Rachel. The elevation is around 4,000 feet in most areas, so the weather can be very cold. During the months of July and August flash flooding can be very hazardous. I always bring plenty of water and make sure the spare tire is in working condition. The gravel on Groom Lake Road has been know to puncture a tire on occasion. Many of the roads have very little traffic due to the desolation of the area, so things can be dangerous if your car breaks down. Due to the lack of people and lights, the area at night is the one of the most beautiful sights in the world! Good research and planning, preparing the necessary supplies, and a good amount of common sense is a must. The guys at VisitArea51.com have done a great job compiling information about camping and everything else about visiting on your own. Check out their site.
*Helpful map of the area:
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