Ever secretly dreamed of a close encounter of the third kind? Are you intensely curious as to whether humanity is alone in this universe? Or are you just a massive fan of The X Files? Whatever your reason for wondering about alien life, the best way to get some answers is to find them yourself, and there's no better place to conduct your research than the Extraterrestrial Highway. Also known as Nevada State Route 375, the 98 mile stretch of road has had so many reported UFO sightings that the state eventually started referring to it as the Extraterrestrial Highway. We highly suggest camping or RVing the route as a day or weekend trip from Las Vegas... being in a campground further away from civilization increases your chances for abduction. Plus, the stargazing in this part of the country is unbeatable!
The Little A'Le'Inn is one of the most famous stops along the drive. The diner is adorned in all kinds of alien kitsch, and you can browse the gift shop for all kinds of UFO-themed merch after you enjoy your burgers. And, if you chat up the waitstaff, they'll probably tell you about various alien encounters along the road, the craziest conspiracy theorists they've had stop by, and maybe, if you're lucky, the best way to check out Area 51.
"Little A'Le'Inn" — Photo Credit: Kaitlin Godbey
The Extraterrestrial Highway also has tons of supposed UFO crash sites along the way. Naturally, these aren't much to look at now (because, depending on who you ask, the government scrubbed the areas of evidence years ago or nothing happened), but maybe being in the area will improve your chances of a sighting. Keep your eyes peeled at all times!
"Extraterrestial Highway" — Photo Credit: MartinStr
Sadly, the famed The Black Mailbox has been removed. It started off as one man's residential mailbox, but since there are so few markers in the desert, it became a popular meeting spot for UFO hunters. Eventually, people began trying to read the owner's mail, and even weirder, leaving letters addressed to aliens in his mailbox, so he added another box where people looking to send some mail to space could drop it off. Unfortunately, the box has disappeared; either the owner got tired of managing all the mail, or the aliens beamed it back up.
If you go a little beyond the Extraterrestrial Highway, you'll find another space-themed gem: Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark. Full disclosure: it wasn't formed by a UFO, or even by a meteor. The volcanic crater got its name because it looks like the surface of the moon... and I could totally see homesick Martians stopping by the barren desert formation to see some familiar landscapes.
Most notably, Area 51 is just off the route. As a warning, it's illegal to trespass on the land surrounding the top-secret base.
If you're really dedicated to seeing some UFO action, hike to the top of nearby Tikaboo Peak... it's the only legal place to view Area 51, which is surrounded by mountains virtually on all sides. The steep hike will take about two hours, some come prepared with flashlights and other supplies.
"Lower Pahranagat Lake" — Photo Credit: Stan Shebs
And, of course, since you'll be camping it, you can pull in for the night at Lower Pahranagat Lake Campground. It's in a pretty remote and isolated part of the state, which is perfect for uninterrupted UFO-spotting and stargazing.
Ready to get going? The truth is out there and waiting to be uncovered! You may not be able to take the trip in a flying saucer, but your RV is the way to go!
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.