Groom Lake, Salt lake in Lincoln County, Nevada, United States.
Groom Lake is a dry salt flat in Lincoln County, Nevada, stretching 3.7 miles from north to south and 3 miles from east to west at its widest point. The flat surface forms a natural runway without obstacles or vegetation.
Mining activities near the site began in 1864 after the discovery of lead and silver deposits in the southern Groom Range. The dry lake surface was later used for aviation testing and developed into a major military testing facility.
The facility at the lake appears in many television series, films, and video games exploring theories about classified military research. The area remains a popular subject for stories about aviation technology and government operations.
Tikaboo Peak, located 26 miles (42 kilometers) to the east, offers the nearest legal viewing point for photographers and interested visitors. Access to the lake surface itself is restricted and the area is designated as a military exclusion zone.
The lake surface serves as runways for the airport at Nellis Bombing Range Test Site, positioned at an elevation of 4409 feet (1344 meters) above sea level. The white salt crust reflects sunlight so strongly that pilots wear special sunglasses to avoid glare during landing.
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