Groom Lake (salt flat)Groom Lake (salt flat) at a Glance
About Groom Lake (salt flat)
Groom Lake is a dry salt flat in southern Nevada, United States, best known as the site of the adjacent restricted military installation widely referred to as Area 51. The lakebed forms a flat, level surface that has been used for runways and testing facilities.
The salt flat itself is on government land and not open to the public; interest in the site is largely from outside vantage points along public roads. Designated pullouts on Nevada State Route 375 and viewpoints near the settlement of Rachel are the usual places from which the area is observed.
The Groom Lake basin has been used by U.S. military and government test programs since the mid 20th century; the airfield and support infrastructure on the salt flat serve flight testing and classified aircraft development. The site is located inside the larger Nevada Test and Training Range and remains under restricted access.
Groom Lake lies within the southern Nevada desert inside the Nellis Range/Nevada Test and Training Range, roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Las Vegas and about 40 kilometres south of the small town of Rachel.
- Access and viewing: Public access to the salt flat and the military facilities on its shore is prohibited; the nearest public road with viewing points is Nevada State Route 375, the “Extraterrestrial Highway.”
- Location to nearest settlements: The dry lake and its airfield lie roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, with the small town of Rachel about 40 kilometres to the north of the site.
What to See#
- Area 51 (Groom Lake airfield): The restricted military installation commonly referred to as Area 51 occupies the northern edge of the Groom Lake salt flat and includes runways, hangars, and support facilities used for aircraft testing and development.
Best Time to Visit Groom Lake (salt flat)
Spring and autumn are the best times to view the salt flat region; access to the restricted Groom Lake facility is not permitted.
Weather & Climate near Groom Lake (salt flat)
Groom Lake (salt flat)'s climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -8° - 8° | -3° | 11 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -5° - 12° | 0° | 22 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -2° - 15° | 4° | 32 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 20° | 10° | 17 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 25° | 16° | 10 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 31° | 21° | 6 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 35° | 24° | 19 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 34° | 23° | 21 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 29° | 19° | 11 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 23° | 12° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 15° | 3° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 9° | -3° | 9 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Groom Lake (salt flat)
The nearest public viewpoint is on public lands such as Tikaboo Peak in Nevada; Groom Lake itself is on restricted federal land with no public access. Drive routes typically start from Las Vegas and approach via rural state roads; expect long distances between services.
Tips for Visiting Groom Lake (salt flat)
- Do not attempt to approach the Groom Lake base without official clearance - the area is restricted and patrolled.
- View the salt flat from public vantage points like Tikaboo Peak (public land) for safe observation of the dry playa and the distant facility.
- Plan photography from legal public lands and be mindful of federal restrictions and fines for trespass.