Area 51 Tour

Reviewed by the Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated July 2026

A full-day small-group SUV run from Las Vegas up the Extraterrestrial Highway to the guarded edge of Area 51, with the Janet jets, a UFO-lore lakebed and lunch at the Little A'Le'Inn.

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Is the Area 51 Tour Worth It? Review & Booking

The Area 51 Tour is a full-day, small-group road trip from Las Vegas to the fringes of the U.S. military's most secretive installation. It runs in a 4x4 SUV with a driver-guide who narrates the base's history and the decades of UFO lore that surround it, and it is built for curiosity rather than access — nobody gets inside, so the trip is about the drive, the desert and the myths.

The day starts near Harry Reid International Airport for a look at the unmarked Janet Airlines jets that shuttle workers to the base, then heads into the high desert toward the Extraterrestrial Highway. Stops typically include a dry lakebed rumored to be a sighting hotspot, the Black Mailbox meeting point, lunch at the alien-themed Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, and the guarded perimeter with its warning signs and watching security. It is roughly two and a half hours of driving each way.

Set expectations before you book: it is a long day with a lot of transit and little walking, the payoff is atmosphere and photo ops rather than anything you can actually enter, and UFO sightings are obviously not guaranteed. Summer desert heat and winter cold both bite out here, and the guarded gate is a hard boundary. For die-hard conspiracy and UFO fans it is a genuine bucket-list run; casual sightseers may find the long haul underwhelming.

Insider tipShoot freely on the Extraterrestrial Highway, but put the camera away at the guarded gate — the perimeter is watched, and pointing a lens at the warning signs or security is the one thing that can turn the stop tense.

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Location

Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada

View map

Frequently asked questions

Can you actually go inside Area 51 on this tour?

No. The base is an active, restricted military site and no tour can enter. The trip takes you to the public guarded perimeter with its warning signs — that boundary is as close as anyone legally gets.

Is photography allowed at the Area 51 gate?

You can freely photograph the Extraterrestrial Highway, the Little A'Le'Inn and the landmarks along the way, but do not photograph the guarded gate, the warning signs area or the security personnel — the perimeter is monitored and cameras there can draw a response.

How far is Area 51 from Las Vegas?

It's roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive each way through open desert, which is why this is a full ten-hour day. Most of the tour is time in the vehicle, so it suits people who enjoy the journey and the lore.

What is the Little A'Le'Inn?

It's a quirky alien-themed bar, cafe and motel in the tiny town of Rachel, the closest settlement to the base. The tour stops there for lunch, and it's the spot for souvenirs and alien-kitsch photos.

When is the best time of year to go?

Spring and fall are most comfortable. Summers bring extreme high-desert heat with almost no shade, and winter days can be cold and windy, so dress for the season and carry more water than you think you'll need.

Rating

4.4

PriceFrom $243

DurationAbout 10 hours

WhereExtraterrestrial Highway, Nevada

PickupHotel pickup and drop-off from most Strip and Downtown Las Vegas hotels.

TransportComfortable 4x4 SUV (small group, up to about 7 travelers).

What's includedDriver-guide, lunch at the Little A'Le'Inn, snacks and unlimited bottled water.

What to bringHiking or athletic shoes, sun protection, a camera, and layers for desert temperature swings.

FitnessEasy — mostly a driving tour with short stops and minimal walking; long time seated.

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