Area 51 has long been linked to stories of UFOs, government secrecy, and even the testing of extraterrestrial technology.
Situated at Groom Lake in the remote desert of southern Nevada, this U.S. Air Force base is infamous for its rumored ties to unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
Many conspiracy theories suggest that Area 51 is a site for reverse-engineering alien technology recovered from crash sites, including the well-known Roswell incident. These speculations are fueled by the base’s high level of secrecy and strict no-access policies for the public.
As a result, this mysterious military facility has become deeply embedded in modern folklore, inspiring countless urban legends and leaving a lasting impact on media and pop culture.
Where Is Area 51 and How Large Is It?
Located about 120 miles (200 km) northwest of Las Vegas, near the small towns of Rachel and Hiko, Area 51’s name is believed to originate from Atomic Energy Commission maps. While widely recognized by the public, the term is rarely used by the military.
The base was established in 1955 as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range and was initially dubbed “Paradise Ranch” by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) to attract employees.
Today, it remains part of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), with the CIA referring to it as Groom Lake and Homey Airport. Although satellite images of the site were once restricted, since 2018, the base has been visible on Google Maps.
The restricted area surrounding Area 51 spans over 90,000 acres (36,000 hectares), serving both as a security buffer and a testing ground for classified aircraft.
Benjamin Radford is an American folklorist, writer, investigator and skeptic who’s authored more than 20 books, including “Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries;” “Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction and Folklore;” and “Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, Magic, and Monsters in the Land of Enchantment.” He’s also deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine and has written several articles regarding the conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51.
“The base itself is fairly small, but the restricted area around it is over 90,000 acres [36,000 hectares] — partly to prevent prying eyes and partly because they need to test classified aircraft,” Radford told Space.com. “It’s mostly conspiracy theorists and media who call it Area 51. To the U.S. government, it’s simply the Nevada Test and Training Range, part of Edwards Air Force Base.”
What Is Inside Area 51 and What Is It Used For?
The U.S. government officially acknowledged the existence of Area 51 in 2013 when a declassified CIA document detailing the history of the U-2 spy plane was released by the National Security Archive at George Washington University.
However, visiting the site remains highly discouraged. The facility is still active, and its operations are classified for national security reasons.
“Area 51 is designated as a ‘Military Operating Area,'” explained Radford. “The perimeter is heavily guarded, with signs warning that deadly force is authorized, motion sensors buried in the ground, surveillance cameras, and patrols.” While the borders of Area 51 aren’t fenced, they are marked with warning signs and orange poles.
The base was originally developed for testing the U-2 spy plane but later became a proving ground for advanced aircraft, including the Archangel-12, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter.
Why Is Area 51 Associated With UFOs?
The connection between Area 51 and UFOs likely stems from its role in testing advanced, classified aircraft. Since “UFO” simply refers to any unidentified flying object—not necessarily an alien spacecraft—new aircraft being tested at the base may have contributed to the sightings.
“People occasionally see strange lights and aircraft in the area, which naturally leads to speculation about UFOs,” Radford noted. “But the assumption that it must be something incredibly secretive and extraterrestrial is flawed.”
Area 51 is just one of many military and government research facilities across the U.S. that handle top-secret projects.
Despite this, the legend of Area 51 grew significantly in 1989 when Robert Lazar claimed he had worked on alien technology at the base.
Lazar alleged that he had witnessed alien autopsies and that the government was reverse-engineering extraterrestrial spacecraft at Area 51. However, investigations later revealed that he had fabricated his credentials and employment history.
“Robert Lazar’s hoax played a huge role in popularizing the idea that Area 51 was linked to aliens,” Radford said. “His claims were widely discredited, but the myth had already taken root in the public’s imagination.”
Area 51 in Pop Culture
Area 51 has been a focal point of numerous documentaries and fictional portrayals in movies and television.
One of the most famous depictions is in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day, where the base plays a crucial role in humanity’s fight against an alien invasion.
On television, Doctor Who featured Area 51 in a 2011 episode, and The X-Files incorporated it into the 1998 episode “Dreamland.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe also referenced the base in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the viral marketing campaign for Spider-Man: No Way Home.
On the small screen, Area 51 was host to a special prisoner in a 2011 episode of “Doctor Who.” The time-traveling Doctor was held captive at the base during the sixth-season episode “Day of the Moon.”
Given the fact that it is a show based on aliens, conspiracy theories and government cover-ups, it’s little wonder that Area 51 eventually made it onto “The X-Files.” In the 1998 season-six episode entitled “Dreamland” — also an early name given to the base — Mulder and Scully witness the flight of a mysterious craft at the facility.
And Area 51 became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in season seven of “Agents of Shield,” appearing in two episodes of the show and getting a mention in a third. The base was also mentioned by Spider-Man antagonist J. Jonah Jameson’s publication The Daily Bugle in a series of video packages as part of the viral marketing for the film “Spider-Man: No Way Home” at the end of 2021.
The Daily Bugle reports referenced a “failed raid” on Area 51 by people, who aimed to discover evidence of alien life. More than a million people were supposed to conduct the raid, but only a handful actually showed up — a clear case of art imitating life.
The Storm Area 51 Movement
In 2019, a social media joke almost spiraled into chaos when 3.5 million people expressed interest in an event called “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.”
Created by college student Matty Roberts, the satirical Facebook event suggested that an overwhelming number of people could storm the base and uncover its secrets, such as alien technology.
While millions pledged to participate, only about 6,000 people actually showed up near Area 51, turning the event into more of a lighthearted festival featuring activities like hatchet-throwing and themed merchandise.
“The whole thing started as a joke, but some people took it seriously,” Radford said. “Rachel, a small nearby town, prepared for massive crowds and a music festival that never fully materialized.”
“It was essentially a fiasco—like a smaller version of Fyre Festival for UFO enthusiasts,” he added.
