Area 51 Back Gate
1 place to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
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: 34/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 86%. 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: sleep under a dark sky
We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Area 51 Back Gate for each.
88/100sky darkness at this stay
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Live prices around Rachel
Rachel is the closest base to Area 51 Back Gate with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.
Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.
Nearby spots in Nevada
- Queen City Summit panorama 17.7 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Worthington Mountains Wilderness 37.2 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Mount Irish Wilderness 44.4 km · Sky Score 69/100
- Powerlines Overlook 44.4 km · Sky Score 68/100
- Tikaboo Peak 55 km · Sky Score 69/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).