Area 51 Back Gate
Sky Score 66/100≈ Bortle 2
Area 51 Back Gate is a scenic viewpoint in Nevada with a measured darkness of 87/100 (≈ Bortle 2) — a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically September, when about 86% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 73/100. The moon is 7% lit and above the horizon 13% of the night; typical August clear-sky odds here are 80%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Area 51 Back Gate
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 51% | 53/100 |
| February | 62% | 60/100 |
| March | 56% | 57/100 |
| April | 69% | 65/100 |
| May | 69% | 66/100 |
| June | 80% | 73/100 |
| July | 74% | 69/100 |
| August | 80% | 73/100 |
| September ★ | 86% | 77/100 |
| October | 80% | 73/100 |
| November | 72% | 67/100 |
| December | 55% | 55/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night — check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Area 51 Back Gate
Each place below is rated for the darkness at its own doorstep — stay dark, and the sky is yours from the parking lot.
- Check availability →
Little A'Le'Inn
14.7 km away · Rachel · darkness at hotel: 88/100
Booking links are affiliate links — disclosure.
Nearby spots in Nevada
- Queen City Summit panorama — 17.7 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Red Flag view spot — 20.2 km · Sky Score 69/100
- Bald Mountain Gate Area 51 — 21.4 km · Sky Score 69/100
- Cedar Gate panorama — 32.7 km · Sky Score 66/100
- Worthington Mountains Wilderness — 37.2 km · Sky Score 70/100