There are two kinds of travelers in this world: the ones who read the “Do Not Enter” sign and turn around… and the ones who read it like it’s a
personal invitation from the universe. This article is for the first group (and for the second group’s attorneys).
“Forbidden places” aren’t just movie props or internet clickbait. Some are off-limits because they protect national security. Others are closed to
protect fragile art, endangered species, or entire communities who want absolutely nothing to do with strangers carrying phones, germs, or “vibes.”
And a few are restricted because humans have a long history of touching priceless things with the enthusiasm of a toddler in a museum gift shop.
Below are 17 restricted places and off-limits destinations you generally can’t visitat least not legally, casually, or without paperwork that
requires more signatures than a mortgage. Along the way, you’ll get the “why,” the myths, and the closest responsible alternativesbecause curiosity
is great, but trespassing is a very expensive hobby.
Why Some Places Stay Off-Limits
When a location is labeled restricted, it usually falls into one of these buckets:
- National security: military bases, intelligence facilities, continuity-of-government sites.
- Public safety: places that are genuinely hazardous (disease labs, extreme wildlife, unstable ruins).
- Conservation: fragile ecosystems or irreplaceable heritage sites damaged by too much human presence.
- Cultural or religious sanctity: locations reserved for specific communities or ceremonies.
- Private property: “You can’t visit” sometimes means “you can, but you weren’t invited.”
The List: 17 Forbidden Places You Can’t Visit
1. Area 51 (Nevada, USA)
The world’s most famous secret site sits in the Nevada desert, wrapped in restricted airspace and pop-culture glitter. The real story is less “little
green men” and more “highly classified aircraft testing.” The perimeter is heavily monitored, and the warning signs are not part of a themed
experience.
Closest legal peek: View the area from public land viewpoints like distant mountain overlooks, and enjoy the fact that “mysterious” looks
the same at 20+ miles away: dusty and quiet.
2. Fort Knox Bullion Depository (Kentucky, USA)
If you’ve ever said “it’s as safe as Fort Knox,” congratulationsyou referenced a place you will not tour. This is where a large portion of U.S. gold
reserves have been stored. It’s not a museum, it’s a vault with a PR strategy that can be summarized as: “No.”
Closest legal peek: Visit nearby attractions on the Army post area that are open to the public (when available) and keep your gold fantasies
safely in the imagination zone.
3. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (Virginia, USA)
A continuity-of-government facility associated with emergency operationsthink “what happens if everything goes sideways.” Access is restricted to
authorized personnel with official business. It’s the kind of place where showing up with snacks and curiosity does not help.
Closest legal peek: Learn about continuity planning through public emergency-management resourcesmuch less thrilling, but dramatically less
likely to involve federal consequences.
4. Raven Rock Mountain Complex “Site R” (Pennsylvania, USA)
Another continuity-of-government installationsometimes nicknamed the “underground Pentagon.” Rules around the complex are strict, including
restrictions on photography without permission. If a mountain looks like it’s minding its own business, this one is doing it professionally.
Closest legal peek: History buffs can explore publicly accessible Cold War museums and declassified documentation instead of trying to “just
take one photo.”
5. Cheyenne Mountain Complex (Colorado, USA)
Carved into granite and famous for NORAD operations, this is the bunker that looks like it was designed by someone who didn’t trust the concept of
“outside.” Public tours have been discontinued; the facility is not open to general visitors.
Closest legal peek: Explore aerospace and Cold War exhibits in public museumsmany have artifacts and displays that scratch the same itch.
6. Plum Island Animal Disease Center (New York, USA)
An island facility historically associated with high-consequence animal disease research. Between security, biosecurity, and plain common sense, the
public is not welcome to roam around. It’s not “mysterious”; it’s “controlled for a reason.”
Closest legal peek: Enjoy the surrounding coastal areas and keep wildlife viewing to places designed for humans who don’t wear hazmat suits.
7. Bohemian Grove (California, USA)
A private, invitation-only retreat associated with the Bohemian Club. Outsiders can’t just stroll in because they “love trees” and “respect privacy.”
Membership and invitations matter herethis is private property with security, not a quirky campground.
Closest legal peek: Spend time in Sonoma County’s public parks. Same trees, fewer power brokers, and you can bring your own snacks.
8. Niʻihau (Hawaii, USA)
Often called “The Forbidden Island,” Niʻihau is privately owned and access is tightly controlled, with limited, structured visits under specific
arrangements. It’s a reminder that not every beautiful island is a tourist productand that’s sometimes the point.
Closest legal peek: You can see Niʻihau from Kauaʻi on clear days, and you can explore other Hawaiian islands that are built for visitors
without compromising local life.
9. Surtsey (Iceland)
A volcanic island that emerged in the 1960s and became a living laboratory for scientists studying how ecosystems form from scratch. Access is
heavily restricted to protect the island’s natural successionmeaning tourists stay off the ground so nature can do its thing uninterrupted.
Closest legal peek: View it from the air or sea on permitted routeslike admiring a cake without sticking your finger in the frosting.
10. Lascaux Cave (France)
Home to iconic prehistoric cave paintings, Lascaux was closed to the public after visitor traffic began damaging the art through changes in humidity
and microbial growth. Replicas exist so people can still experience the imagery without slowly destroying it.
Closest legal peek: Visit the official replica experiences and related museumsstill breathtaking, and you’re not the villain of the
conservation story.
11. Ilha da Queimada Grande “Snake Island” (Brazil)
This tiny island is famous for being home to the critically endangered golden lancehead viper. Human access is tightly controlled, both to protect
people and to protect the species from disturbance and illegal collection.
Closest legal peek: Learn about venom research and conservation through accredited museums and science organizationsno snake-dodging
required.
12. North Sentinel Island (India)
North Sentinel is protected to preserve the autonomy and health of the Sentinelese, an Indigenous community that has chosen isolation. Approaching
the island is illegal and dangerousfor visitors and for the people who live there. This is not an “extreme travel” flex; it’s a boundary that exists
for ethical reasons.
Closest legal peek: Respect the exclusion zone. If you’re drawn to Indigenous history and cultures, seek experiences that are invited,
consent-based, and community-led.
13. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway)
Sometimes called the “doomsday vault,” this facility stores backup copies of seeds from around the world to protect crop diversity. It’s not a tourist
attraction; access is limited to authorized personnel. The whole point is security, stability, and minimal disruptionnot selfies in subzero rooms.
Closest legal peek: Enjoy official virtual tours and public science reporting. It’s one of the few “secret” places that actually wants you to
learn about itjust from a respectful distance.
14. Mecca (Saudi Arabia) If You’re Not Muslim
Mecca is sacred in Islam, and entry is restricted to Muslims. This isn’t a “closed because of bureaucracy” situation; it’s a religious boundary.
Attempting to sneak in is disrespectful and can lead to serious legal trouble.
Closest legal peek: If you’re interested in Islamic history and architecture, explore sites that welcome all visitors, and learn through
museums, scholarship, and respectful travel.
15. Ise Grand Shrine’s Inner Sanctuary (Japan)
Ise is among Shinto’s most sacred sites. Visitors can walk the grounds, but the innermost areas are restrictedtraditionally reserved for priests and
select religious or imperial roles. The “can’t visit” here is about sacred space and ritual boundaries, not drama.
Closest legal peek: Experience the atmosphere: forest paths, bridges, and outer worship areas. In many traditions, the threshold is the point.
16. Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (Australia)
A remote, tightly secured installation associated with satellite communications and intelligence cooperation. It’s not a stop on a road trip itinerary,
and it’s not meant to be. The secrecy is the feature.
Closest legal peek: Learn about space surveillance and satellite systems through public aerospace sources, and keep your curiosity safely
outside the fence line.
17. Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory)
A strategically significant island with a major military presence. Entry is restricted and typically limited to mission-essential personnel and
authorized visitorsno casual tourism. Getting there without authorization is not a “bold travel move,” it’s a “how to get stopped” move.
Closest legal peek: Explore the Indian Ocean’s accessible islands and protected marine areas that are open to travelers under standard rules.
Final Thoughts: Curiosity, With a Side of Common Sense
Forbidden places are fascinating because they push all the right psychological buttons: secrecy, danger, exclusivity, and the tantalizing idea that
something important is happening just out of sight. But the best travel stories are the ones that don’t end with a fine, a detention, or a lifetime
ban from an island.
If you take one thing from this list, let it be this: the world is full of off-limits locations for reasons that range from ethical to
existential. Respecting the line isn’t boringit’s part of being a good traveler. And honestly, the mystery is sometimes better when it stays a
mystery.
What It Feels Like Chasing Forbidden Places (Without Getting Arrested)
Let’s talk about the experience, because “forbidden places you can’t visit” isn’t just a listit’s a mood. It’s the itch you get when you’re staring
at a fence in the desert and your brain starts narrating like a documentary: “Beyond this point lies history, secrecy, and possibly a guy with
binoculars who has already noticed your shoes.”
The first time you intentionally drive toward a restricted areasomething famous like the roads near Area 51you notice how your senses sharpen.
Every dust plume feels like it has a backstory. Every unmarked SUV becomes a character. The landscape is suddenly cinematic, even if it’s basically
just sun, scrub, and the kind of silence that makes you hear your own thoughts say, “Maybe don’t.”
Then there’s a weird humility that shows up. You realize the world isn’t built for your entertainment. Some places are guarded because they hold
national secrets. Some are protected because people or ecosystems would be harmed by your presence. And some are private because, well, private means
privateno matter how poetic you feel about “wanting to connect with the land.” The line between adventurous and obnoxious gets clearer the longer
you travel.
The most satisfying “forbidden place” moments often happen from a distance. You stand on a public overlook with a thermos of coffee, watching a
mountain or a coastline you can’t step on, and you start noticing details you’d usually miss: wind patterns on the water, a hawk circling, the way the
light changes the color of rock. You’re not consuming the placeyou’re witnessing it. And weirdly, that feels more grown-up than charging in like the
hero of your own action movie.
It also teaches you to love the legal alternatives. Closed caves? The replicas can still be stunning, and you’ll remember the art instead of the guilt.
Restricted islands? The nearby museums, research centers, and guided wildlife experiences can give you a deeper story than “I saw it and left.” Even
secret military lore has public historydeclassified documents, aerospace museums, and veterans’ accounts that provide context without the trespass.
And yes, there’s always that tiny mischievous thought: “But what if I could?” The trick is turning it into a better question:
“What can I learn without crossing the line?” When you approach forbidden places with respect, the experience becomes less about the locked
door and more about the larger storywhy it’s locked, who it protects, what it preserves, and what that says about us as curious humans.
So if you want the thrill without the consequences, try this: plan a “nearby mystery day.” Visit the public edgeslookouts, museums, declassified
exhibits, local history centers. Talk to guides. Read the plaques. Bring binoculars. Take notes like you’re writing your own conspiracy board, but let
the evidence be science, history, and ethics instead of shaky internet rumors. You’ll still get that buzzjust with fewer handcuffs and a better
story to tell.
