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Nevada Test Site Tours
 The Department of Energy (DOE), and its predecessor agencies the
Energy Research and Development Administration and the Atomic Energy
Commission, conducted nuclear tests and other experiments at the Nevada
Test Site, which helped maintain world peace, and the national security
of the United States.
Since the establishment of the Nevada Test Site in 1951, thousands of
people from around the world -- senior citizens to college students --
have visited this vast outdoor laboratory that is larger than the state
of Rhode Island, to see firsthand, artifacts and archaeological sites
from the early settlers, to the many relics remaining from nuclear
weapons tests, nuclear rocket experiments, and a variety of other
defense, environmental, and energy-related programs.
General Information
The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security
Administration Nevada Site Office provides free general interest tours
on a monthly basis. (Refer to the Tour Dates) Groups, civic or
technical organizations, and private clubs may request
specially-arranged tours (minimum of 10 people). Please refer to Registration
for details.
Most tours depart from the Atomic Testing
Museum at 755 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada. Tours depart
at approximately 7:30 a.m. and return at 4:00 p.m. Please make
arrangements to arrive early enough for adequate parking.
The mode of transportation provided is usually a chartered bus equipped
with a restroom.
The Nevada Test Site is located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Each tour usually covers about 250 miles. Tour participants should bring
their own food and drinks, but no alcoholic beverages. There are no
lunch stops.
Casual clothing is recommended, and sturdy shoes are required for the
rugged terrain. No shorts or sandals are permitted.
Visitors to the test site must be at least 14 years old. Pregnant women
are discouraged from participating in test site tours because of the
long bus ride and uneven terrain.
Points of Interest
Mercury is the main base camp for the test site and the second
largest community in Nye County.
Frenchman Flat, where on January 27, 1951, the first atmospheric
nuclear test on the Nevada Test Site, ABLE, took place. Thirteen
subsequent atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted at the site
between 1951 and 1962.
Nonproliferation Test and Evaluation Complex is used by the chemical and petroleum
industry and government agencies to test spill dispersion and
mitigation and cleanup procedures.
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Site for the disposal of
radioactive waste from the dismantlement and cleanup of DOE and DoD’s
weapons production complex.
Control Point-1 was the command post used for conducting nuclear
tests. Today, it plays an important role supporting other test site
missions.
News Nob was a viewpoint from which journalists and visiting
dignitaries witnessed atmospheric tests.
Sedan was a cratering experiment as part of the Plowshare program -
the peaceful uses of nuclear explosives. The 104-kiloton nuclear
device explosion displaced about 12 million tons of earth, creating a
crater 1,280 feet in diameter and 320 feet deep. This underground test
was conducted on July 6, 1962.
Security Requirements
Because the test site is a restricted access government reservation,
visitors must apply well in advance for tours tailored to their
individual interests and needs. Prospective visitors need to supply the
following background information:
- Full name as it appears on driver’s license or other photo
identification
- Date and place of birth
- Home and business address, to include name of employer
- Home and business phone number
- Citizenship (foreign citizens will be asked to supply additional
information). Allow six weeks for approval.
Prohibited Articles
- Visitors are not permitted to bring cameras, binoculars,
telescopes, or tape recorders on the tour.
- Cell phones are not permitted.
- Privately-owned Laptop Computer.
- Firearms are not permitted under any circumstances.
- Visitors may not remove soil, rock, plant samples or metal objects
from the test site.
Nevada Test Site General Tour Dates
The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security
Administration Nevada Site Office provides free general interest tours
on a monthly basis. The dates for NTS tours are listed below.
Reservations required. Refer to Registration
for further information.
There is a possibility that the visit may have to be postponed for operational reasons.
If that happens, you will be notified immediately.
2009 Public Tour Schedule
- January 21 -- FULL
- February 24 -- FULL
- March 19 -- FULL
- April 22 -- FULL
- May 19 -- FULL
- June 25 -- FULL
- July 15
- August 25
- September 17
- October 20
- November 19
- December 15
Space is limited for tours and fill quickly. Please indicate on
your paperwork with a first and second date of choice.
Registration
Participants will receive a confirmation package 7-10 days prior to
the visit. The package will include the confirmation notice, itinerary,
Prohibited Articles List, and a map (directions to the Atomic Testing
Museum departure location.)
If you have any question regarding your tour confirmation, please
contact the Visit Coordination Staff at 702-295-0944 or
email:
tours@nv.doe.gov
Groups and individuals wishing to tour the approximately
1,375-square-mile Test Site should complete the
Test Site Tour Badging Form and submit it to the Nevada
Site Office's, Office of Public Affairs, Visit Coordination Staff:
Mail:
U.S. Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Nevada Site Office
Office of Public Affairs
Visit Coordination Staff
P.O. Box 98518
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8518
For further information contact:
Phone: 702-295-0944
Fax: 702-295-0154
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