Present-day Nevadans might be surprised to find out that during the Cold War years, almost 80% of all nuclear tests by the United States took place in our state. The Nevada Test Site is an area in Nye County that lies about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Once called the Nevada Proving Grounds, this federal site was created in 1951 for nuclear testing and covers 1,360 square miles. Read on as we explore this veritable “Doom Town, Nevada.”

The Nevada Test Site is located in Nye County.
Kalamariverral/TripAdvisor
Between 1951 and 1992, more than 800 tests were conducted here, making it a significant location in the tumultuous history of the state, as well as in this country overall.
Yucca Flat is a basin within the NTS that was the site of most of the underground tests.
Federal Government of the United States/Wikimedia Commons
The basin's dry soil was perfect for drilling to create the testing shafts. After the explosions, massive craters were left behind from the underground impact of the explosion. This gave the flat a "moon-like" appearance that you can still see today.
Sedan Crater, also located in Yucca Flat, is the largest man-made crater in the entire U.S.
Federal Government of the United States/Wikimedia Commons
The crater was created in 1962 during an underground nuclear test called Operation Plowshare. The crater is 320 feet deep and almost 1,300 feet wide. This particular project was actually developed to test the use of nuclear technology for excavation for building tunnels, canals, etc. and not for military purposes.

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Fake "homes" were built for the military nuclear tests at Yucca Flat.
Federal Government of the United States (Nevada National Security Site Tour Booklet, part 3)/Wikimedia Commons
This area was known as "Survival Town" or "Doomtown, Nevada" by the scientists who worked on the project. Homes and buildings were created in the typical style and materials of both U.S. and European homes at the time of the tests in the 1950s.
The site where the blasts took place is one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the country. Today, the U.S. Department of Energy regularly monitors radiation levels at the NTS and is also charged with the overall management of the site.
Alan Levine/Flickr
One of the creepier aspects of the 1951 tests (dubbed Operation Teapot) were mannequins added in to "populate" the faux town. The mannequins were placed inside of the buildings, along the streets and even inside of parked cars within the testing site town. That just adds to the allure of this unusual Nevada ghost town.
The town of Mercury, Nevada is located within the NTS and it's a "closed" town. Only government workers and scientists who are using the area for testing are allowed to use the facilities at Mercury.
Ken Lund/Flickr
The tests here were conducted both above and underground. Many of the above-ground tests could be seen from 100 miles away and it was not unusual for Las Vegas residents to see mushroom clouds over the horizon. They even became something of a reason for tourists to visit.
Parts of the NTS are opened up for tours once a month. Tours book months in advance and all visitors to the site must be at least 14 years old.
Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons
More information about these free tours can be obtained from the Nevada National Security Sites website.

Have you ever been to this Doom Town in Nevada? Would you visit this abandoned town in Nevada? We’d love to have you share your experience or thoughts in the comments section!

For other ideas for outdoor adventures in “The Silver State,” check out this video:

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More to Explore

Doomtown, Nevada

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | January 29, 2023

What are some other Nevada ghost towns?

  • Hamilton – Located between Eureka and Ely, just off highway 50 in White Pine County, it was founded in 1868 after silver ore was discovered in the area.
  • Gold Point – Located about 300 miles south of Reno in Esmeralda County, the town still has several original and a few restored buildings
  • Unionville – Located south of Mill City in Pershing County it survived for about 10 years, at its largest home to approximately 3,000 residents.

Learn more on this Nevada ghost town road trip itinerary.

What are some other interesting facts about Nevada?

  • Despite being the driest state in the U.S., Nevada was nevertheless named after the Sierra Nevada mountain range which means "snow-covered."
  • The Hoover Dam, the largest public works project in the U.S., possesses a greater structural volume than the largest pyramid in Egypt.
  • The state’s first permanent white settlement called Mormon Station was founded in 1815, but today the area is now called Genoa.

Learn more interesting facts about Nevada in this fascinating article.

What are some of the natural wonders in Nevada?

  • Valley of Fire State Park – The park is the largest and oldest state park in Nevada.
  • The Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark – This volcanic landmark encompasses an astounding 400 acres in size.
  • The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – This popular hiking spot was Nevada's first conservation area.

Learn more about the natural wonders in Nevada in this article.

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Nevada Test Site Area 400, Nevada, USA