🔒 US Classified & Restricted Areas
A Comprehensive Guide | Military Bases • Nuclear Facilities • Intelligence Sites
40+ Major Restricted Zones Across 20 States
📍 Total Facilities
40+
Major classified sites
across the United States
across the United States
States Affected
20
From Nevada to Virginia
Coast to coast coverage
Coast to coast coverage
Most Secret State
Nevada
Area 51, Area 6, Tonopah
Nevada Test Site
Nevada Test Site
Oldest Facility
1942
Los Alamos Lab
Manhattan Project birthplace
Manhattan Project birthplace
📊 Facilities by Type & Purpose
Distribution by Category
Facilities by State (Top 10)
🗺️ Complete State-by-State Breakdown
| Facility Name | State | Type | Security Level | Primary Purpose |
|---|
🔍 Detailed Facility Profiles
Nevada - America's Secret Testing Grounds
Area 51 / Groom Lake (Homey Airport)
Location: Lincoln County, 83 miles NNW of Las Vegas
Size: Part of 368,000-acre Nevada Test and Training Range
Purpose: Development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems. Home to stealth technology development (U-2, A-12 OXCART, F-117). CIA acknowledged existence in 2013 after decades of denial.
Notable Features: Heavily guarded perimeter, restricted airspace, motion sensors, Janet Airlines transport, multiple runways for classified aircraft testing
Established: 1955 (CIA & USAF acquired site)
Size: Part of 368,000-acre Nevada Test and Training Range
Purpose: Development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems. Home to stealth technology development (U-2, A-12 OXCART, F-117). CIA acknowledged existence in 2013 after decades of denial.
Notable Features: Heavily guarded perimeter, restricted airspace, motion sensors, Janet Airlines transport, multiple runways for classified aircraft testing
Established: 1955 (CIA & USAF acquired site)
Area 6 - Aerial Operations Facility
Location: 12 miles northeast of Area 51
Purpose: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing - airframe modifications, sensor operations, onboard computer development. Mile-long runway, multiple large hangars.
Notable Features: Large enough to house MQ-9 Reaper drones, restricted airspace, visible on Google Earth but highly classified operations
Purpose: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing - airframe modifications, sensor operations, onboard computer development. Mile-long runway, multiple large hangars.
Notable Features: Large enough to house MQ-9 Reaper drones, restricted airspace, visible on Google Earth but highly classified operations
Tonopah Test Range (Area 52)
Location: 30 miles SE of Tonopah, 160 miles NW of Las Vegas
Size: Within Nevada Test and Training Range
Purpose: Nuclear weapons testing and evaluation, stealth aircraft testing, DOE/Air Force joint operations. F-117 Nighthawk operational testing base.
Notable Features: Extreme isolation for sensitive flight operations, stockpile stewardship missions
Size: Within Nevada Test and Training Range
Purpose: Nuclear weapons testing and evaluation, stealth aircraft testing, DOE/Air Force joint operations. F-117 Nighthawk operational testing base.
Notable Features: Extreme isolation for sensitive flight operations, stockpile stewardship missions
Nevada National Security Site (Nevada Test Site)
Size: 1,360 square miles
Purpose: Nuclear weapons testing site (1951-1992). Now used for sub-critical testing, experimental research, training, nonproliferation work.
History: 928 nuclear tests conducted (100 atmospheric, 828 underground)
Purpose: Nuclear weapons testing site (1951-1992). Now used for sub-critical testing, experimental research, training, nonproliferation work.
History: 928 nuclear tests conducted (100 atmospheric, 828 underground)
Colorado - NORAD's Mountain Fortress
Cheyenne Mountain Complex
Location: El Paso County, 10 miles from Colorado Springs
Depth: 2,000 feet inside Cheyenne Mountain (under 9,565 ft mountain)
Size: 5.1 acres of underground space, 15 buildings
Purpose: Alternate Command Center for NORAD and USNORTHCOM. Aerospace warning, missile defense coordination, air defense operations.
Construction: Built 1961-1966, cost $142.4 million ($1.5 billion today). Required 693,000 tons of granite excavation.
Notable Features: Blast doors weighing 25 tons each, withstands 30-megaton nuclear blast, EMP-hardened, self-sufficient (power, water, air systems), 1.5 million gallon water supply, even has Subway restaurant
Capacity: Can shelter 800 people from nuclear fallout
Depth: 2,000 feet inside Cheyenne Mountain (under 9,565 ft mountain)
Size: 5.1 acres of underground space, 15 buildings
Purpose: Alternate Command Center for NORAD and USNORTHCOM. Aerospace warning, missile defense coordination, air defense operations.
Construction: Built 1961-1966, cost $142.4 million ($1.5 billion today). Required 693,000 tons of granite excavation.
Notable Features: Blast doors weighing 25 tons each, withstands 30-megaton nuclear blast, EMP-hardened, self-sufficient (power, water, air systems), 1.5 million gallon water supply, even has Subway restaurant
Capacity: Can shelter 800 people from nuclear fallout
New Mexico - Nuclear Weapons Heartland
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Location: Los Alamos County
Purpose: Nuclear weapons research and development, design of nuclear warheads, stockpile stewardship. Birthplace of atomic bomb (Manhattan Project 1942).
Notable Features: One of three NNSA national labs, ongoing weapons design and testing without live detonations
Purpose: Nuclear weapons research and development, design of nuclear warheads, stockpile stewardship. Birthplace of atomic bomb (Manhattan Project 1942).
Notable Features: One of three NNSA national labs, ongoing weapons design and testing without live detonations
Sandia National Laboratories
Locations: Albuquerque NM, Livermore CA, Kauai HI, Tonopah NV
Purpose: Non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons, quality assurance, systems engineering for all US nuclear weapons
Size: Major research complex with multiple sites
Purpose: Non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons, quality assurance, systems engineering for all US nuclear weapons
Size: Major research complex with multiple sites
White Sands Missile Range
Size: Largest overland instrumented range in Western Hemisphere
Purpose: Missile testing, space testing, sensor development. Site of Trinity Test - world's first atomic bomb detonation (July 16, 1945).
Trinity Site: Usually closed, but opens twice yearly for public tours. Ground Zero of nuclear age.
Purpose: Missile testing, space testing, sensor development. Site of Trinity Test - world's first atomic bomb detonation (July 16, 1945).
Trinity Site: Usually closed, but opens twice yearly for public tours. Ground Zero of nuclear age.
Virginia - Intelligence & Continuity Hub
Camp Peary ("The Farm")
Location: Near Williamsburg
Size: 9,000 acres
Purpose: CIA's primary covert training facility. Clandestine service officers learn espionage tradecraft, surveillance, asset recruitment, codes, defensive driving, speedboat handling, resistance to torture.
Notable Features: Government has never officially acknowledged the site. Trainees spend months learning 007-style spy skills. Also used by Defense Intelligence Agency.
Size: 9,000 acres
Purpose: CIA's primary covert training facility. Clandestine service officers learn espionage tradecraft, surveillance, asset recruitment, codes, defensive driving, speedboat handling, resistance to torture.
Notable Features: Government has never officially acknowledged the site. Trainees spend months learning 007-style spy skills. Also used by Defense Intelligence Agency.
Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center
Location: Near Bluemont, Virginia
Purpose: FEMA's premier continuity of government facility. Relocation site for civilian and military officials during national emergencies (nuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemics).
Established: 1959
Notable Features: Underground bunker complex, all-hazards planning center
Purpose: FEMA's premier continuity of government facility. Relocation site for civilian and military officials during national emergencies (nuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemics).
Established: 1959
Notable Features: Underground bunker complex, all-hazards planning center
Warrenton Training Center
Location: 4 stations around Warrenton
Purpose: CIA/NSA signals intelligence facility, satellite relay, communications training for CIA/NSA/DoD/State Department. Underground continuity bunkers.
Established: 1951 as part of Federal Relocation Arc
Notable Features: Edward Snowden trained here during CIA service
Purpose: CIA/NSA signals intelligence facility, satellite relay, communications training for CIA/NSA/DoD/State Department. Underground continuity bunkers.
Established: 1951 as part of Federal Relocation Arc
Notable Features: Edward Snowden trained here during CIA service
North Carolina - Special Operations Testing
Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity
Location: Perquimans County
Purpose: Paramilitary and counterterrorism training for CIA, Navy SEALs, FBI. Explosive testing, breaching operations, advanced tactics.
Established: 1961 (weeks after Bay of Pigs)
Notable Features: SEAL Team Six trained here for bin Laden raid using scale mockup of compound. Loud explosions heard for miles, black helicopters, extreme security.
Purpose: Paramilitary and counterterrorism training for CIA, Navy SEALs, FBI. Explosive testing, breaching operations, advanced tactics.
Established: 1961 (weeks after Bay of Pigs)
Notable Features: SEAL Team Six trained here for bin Laden raid using scale mockup of compound. Loud explosions heard for miles, black helicopters, extreme security.
Utah - Chemical/Biological Defense & NSA Data
Dugway Proving Ground
Location: 85 miles SW of Salt Lake City
Size: 801,505 acres (size of Rhode Island)
Purpose: Army's premier chemical and biological defense testing site. Testing protective gear, detection systems, decontamination technology.
Established: 1942
Notable Features: Houses world's most dangerous biological/chemical agents, called "New Area 51" by some, extreme isolation
Size: 801,505 acres (size of Rhode Island)
Purpose: Army's premier chemical and biological defense testing site. Testing protective gear, detection systems, decontamination technology.
Established: 1942
Notable Features: Houses world's most dangerous biological/chemical agents, called "New Area 51" by some, extreme isolation
Utah Data Center (NSA)
Location: Camp Williams, Bluffdale
Purpose: Massive NSA data storage and processing facility. Intelligence Community cyber operations, data analysis missions.
Notable Features: One of world's largest data centers, hardened infrastructure, classified operations scale
Purpose: Massive NSA data storage and processing facility. Intelligence Community cyber operations, data analysis missions.
Notable Features: One of world's largest data centers, hardened infrastructure, classified operations scale
California - Weapons Development & Research
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS)
Location: Kern County
Size: Sprawling laboratory with massive restricted airspace (R-2508)
Purpose: Advanced weapons development and evaluation. Missile testing, bomb testing, aircraft testing.
Notable Features: Decades of classified weapons shaping US arsenal
Size: Sprawling laboratory with massive restricted airspace (R-2508)
Purpose: Advanced weapons development and evaluation. Missile testing, bomb testing, aircraft testing.
Notable Features: Decades of classified weapons shaping US arsenal
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Location: Livermore
Purpose: Nuclear weapons research and design, one of three NNSA national labs. Advanced modeling, simulation, stockpile stewardship.
Notable Features: Key role in maintaining nuclear stockpile without live testing
Purpose: Nuclear weapons research and design, one of three NNSA national labs. Advanced modeling, simulation, stockpile stewardship.
Notable Features: Key role in maintaining nuclear stockpile without live testing
Pennsylvania/Maryland Border - Underground Pentagon
Raven Rock Mountain Complex ("Site R")
Location: Blue Ridge Summit, under Appalachian Mountains
Purpose: Alternate National Military Command Center. Underground Pentagon backup for SecDef, Joint Chiefs, senior DoD leaders during emergencies.
Established: 1953
Notable Features: Huge underground city carved into granite, continuity of government operations, activated during 9/11
Purpose: Alternate National Military Command Center. Underground Pentagon backup for SecDef, Joint Chiefs, senior DoD leaders during emergencies.
Established: 1953
Notable Features: Huge underground city carved into granite, continuity of government operations, activated during 9/11
Maryland - Intelligence & Biodefense
Fort Meade (NSA Headquarters)
Location: Fort Meade
Purpose: National Security Agency headquarters. Also houses US Cyber Command, Defense Courier Service, Defense Information Systems Agency.
Notable Features: Center of US signals intelligence, massive electronic surveillance operations, cyber warfare headquarters
Purpose: National Security Agency headquarters. Also houses US Cyber Command, Defense Courier Service, Defense Information Systems Agency.
Notable Features: Center of US signals intelligence, massive electronic surveillance operations, cyber warfare headquarters
Fort Detrick
Location: Frederick
Size: 600+ buildings, 13,000 acres
Purpose: Army's biological research headquarters. Toxin/antitoxin research, disease defense, medical material management.
History: Former home of CIA's MK-ULTRA mind control program
Size: 600+ buildings, 13,000 acres
Purpose: Army's biological research headquarters. Toxin/antitoxin research, disease defense, medical material management.
History: Former home of CIA's MK-ULTRA mind control program
Tennessee - Uranium Processing
Y-12 National Security Complex
Location: Oak Ridge
Purpose: Nation's only source of enriched uranium nuclear weapon components. Manufactures all US nuclear weapons secondaries, canned subassemblies, radiation cases.
Notable Features: Main storage facility for highly enriched uranium, dismantlement operations, life extension programs for warheads
Purpose: Nation's only source of enriched uranium nuclear weapon components. Manufactures all US nuclear weapons secondaries, canned subassemblies, radiation cases.
Notable Features: Main storage facility for highly enriched uranium, dismantlement operations, life extension programs for warheads
Texas - Nuclear Assembly
Pantex Plant
Location: Amarillo area
Purpose: Since 1975, the ONLY facility in United States where nuclear weapons are assembled and disassembled. Also develops, tests, and fabricates high-explosive components.
Budget: ~$1 billion annually
Notable Features: Final assembly point for all US nuclear warheads
Purpose: Since 1975, the ONLY facility in United States where nuclear weapons are assembled and disassembled. Also develops, tests, and fabricates high-explosive components.
Budget: ~$1 billion annually
Notable Features: Final assembly point for all US nuclear warheads
South Carolina - Tritium Production
Savannah River Site
Location: Near Aiken
Purpose: Tritium production and processing for nuclear weapons. Loads tritium reservoirs, recycles tritium, extracts and enriches tritium gas. Key component for all thermonuclear weapons.
Notable Features: Critical to nuclear weapons stockpile maintenance, nonproliferation missions
Purpose: Tritium production and processing for nuclear weapons. Loads tritium reservoirs, recycles tritium, extracts and enriches tritium gas. Key component for all thermonuclear weapons.
Notable Features: Critical to nuclear weapons stockpile maintenance, nonproliferation missions
Missouri - Non-Nuclear Components
Kansas City National Security Campus
Location: Kansas City
Purpose: Manufactures non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons. Electronics, mechanical parts, materials production for warhead systems.
Notable Features: Essential part of nuclear weapons complex, precision manufacturing
Purpose: Manufactures non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons. Electronics, mechanical parts, materials production for warhead systems.
Notable Features: Essential part of nuclear weapons complex, precision manufacturing
Ohio - Aerospace Research
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Location: Dayton
Purpose: Air Force research and development, aerospace systems testing, advanced technology development.
Notable Features: Area A and Area B sections, subject of UFO conspiracies (Project Blue Book)
Purpose: Air Force research and development, aerospace systems testing, advanced technology development.
Notable Features: Area A and Area B sections, subject of UFO conspiracies (Project Blue Book)
📊 Summary Statistics
Security Classification Levels
Key Insights
- Nuclear Weapons Complex: 9 major NNSA sites across 7 states manage entire US nuclear arsenal lifecycle - research, design, component manufacturing, assembly, disassembly, storage
- Nevada Concentration: Highest concentration of classified sites due to remote desert locations ideal for weapons testing and aircraft development
- Underground Facilities: Major hardened bunkers include Cheyenne Mountain (CO), Raven Rock (PA/MD), Mount Weather (VA) - designed to survive nuclear attack
- Intelligence Training: Camp Peary (VA) and Harvey Point (NC) are primary CIA/special operations training facilities
- Testing Ranges: White Sands (NM), China Lake (CA), Dugway (UT), Tonopah (NV) provide isolated areas for weapons development
- Data & Cyber: Fort Meade (MD) NSA headquarters and Utah Data Center represent modern cyber intelligence infrastructure
- Access Restricted: Trespassing on military bases punishable by 6 months imprisonment. Airspace violations can result in lethal force authorization
Data Sources & Methodology:
Information compiled from: CIA declassified documents (FOIA releases on Area 51, U-2 program), National Nuclear Security Administration official facility descriptions, Department of Energy site profiles, Department of Defense public affairs releases, Congressional Research Service reports on Nuclear Security Enterprise, Federation of American Scientists nuclear weapons database, Brennan Center for Justice research, National Archives records, investigative journalism (Annie Jacobsen "Area 51", various news reports), satellite imagery analysis (Google Earth verified locations), academic research on military installations, official NORAD/USNORTHCOM statements, Naval facilities public information.
Classification Levels Explained:
TOP SECRET/SCI: Highest classification level. Unauthorized disclosure could cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security. SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) requires special clearances.
SECRET: Unauthorized disclosure could cause "serious damage" to national security.
CLASSIFIED: General term for restricted information requiring security clearance.
RESTRICTED: Access limited but less stringent than classified levels.
Legal Restrictions: Under 18 U.S. Code § 1382, trespassing on military installations is punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment and fines. Restricted airspace violations can result in interception by military aircraft and potentially lethal force. Photography of certain facilities is prohibited. Many sites employ lethal force authorization for unauthorized entry beyond warning perimeters.
Public Access: Most facilities are completely closed to public. Exceptions: Trinity Site (White Sands) holds 2 open houses per year. Some facilities like Fort Meade allow limited base access for authorized visitors. Area 51 perimeter is heavily monitored - signs warn "Use of Deadly Force Authorized."
Important Note: This page presents only publicly available, declassified, or openly reported information. Many operational details remain classified. Facility purposes and capabilities described here represent confirmed or widely acknowledged activities, not speculation.
Last Updated: January 2026 | Data reflects publicly available information as of January 29, 2026
Information compiled from: CIA declassified documents (FOIA releases on Area 51, U-2 program), National Nuclear Security Administration official facility descriptions, Department of Energy site profiles, Department of Defense public affairs releases, Congressional Research Service reports on Nuclear Security Enterprise, Federation of American Scientists nuclear weapons database, Brennan Center for Justice research, National Archives records, investigative journalism (Annie Jacobsen "Area 51", various news reports), satellite imagery analysis (Google Earth verified locations), academic research on military installations, official NORAD/USNORTHCOM statements, Naval facilities public information.
Classification Levels Explained:
TOP SECRET/SCI: Highest classification level. Unauthorized disclosure could cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security. SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) requires special clearances.
SECRET: Unauthorized disclosure could cause "serious damage" to national security.
CLASSIFIED: General term for restricted information requiring security clearance.
RESTRICTED: Access limited but less stringent than classified levels.
Legal Restrictions: Under 18 U.S. Code § 1382, trespassing on military installations is punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment and fines. Restricted airspace violations can result in interception by military aircraft and potentially lethal force. Photography of certain facilities is prohibited. Many sites employ lethal force authorization for unauthorized entry beyond warning perimeters.
Public Access: Most facilities are completely closed to public. Exceptions: Trinity Site (White Sands) holds 2 open houses per year. Some facilities like Fort Meade allow limited base access for authorized visitors. Area 51 perimeter is heavily monitored - signs warn "Use of Deadly Force Authorized."
Important Note: This page presents only publicly available, declassified, or openly reported information. Many operational details remain classified. Facility purposes and capabilities described here represent confirmed or widely acknowledged activities, not speculation.
Last Updated: January 2026 | Data reflects publicly available information as of January 29, 2026