Fact Check: It is possible to enter the 51 Area, it offers private tours sometimes for 400$ by the Department of Defense

Fact Check: "It is possible to enter the 51 Area, it offers private tours sometimes for 400$ by the Department of Defense"

What We Know

The claim that it is possible to enter Area 51 and that the Department of Defense (DoD) offers private tours for $400 is misleading. Area 51, officially known as Groom Lake, is a highly classified U.S. Air Force facility located in Nevada. The U.S. government has not authorized any tours of this facility. Instead, there are commercial tours operated by private companies that take tourists to the outskirts of Area 51, but these are not sanctioned by the DoD and do not provide access to the base itself. For example, one tour operator offers a tour for approximately $295, which does not include entry into the base but rather a visit to the surrounding areas and information about the site (Area 51 "Top Secret" Tour from Las Vegas, Area 51 Tours | Las Vegas Sightseeing).

Analysis

The assertion that the Department of Defense offers tours of Area 51 for $400 lacks credible support. The U.S. government has maintained a strict policy regarding access to Area 51, primarily due to national security concerns. There are no official programs or tours provided by the DoD that allow civilians to enter the facility. The tours mentioned in the claim are operated by private companies and are not affiliated with the DoD.

The information from the tour operators indicates that these tours are more about the lore and mystery surrounding Area 51 rather than actual access to the base itself. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights that while tours exist, they do not fulfill the claim that the DoD allows entry into Area 51 for a fee.

Furthermore, the sources that discuss the budget and operations of the Department of Defense (H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Department of Defense (DOD) | Spending Profile, FY2025_Budget_Request_Overv..., PDF APRIL 2022 - U.S. Department of Defense, Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)) do not mention any such tours, reinforcing the idea that the claim is unfounded.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that it is possible to enter Area 51 and that the Department of Defense offers private tours for $400 is false. While there are private tours available that take visitors to the vicinity of Area 51, these tours do not provide actual access to the base and are not affiliated with the DoD. The government maintains strict control over access to Area 51, and no official tours are offered by the Department of Defense.

Fact Check: It is possible to enter the 51 Area, it offers private tours sometimes for 400$ by the Department of Defense