18. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia
On the Georgia coast sits Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the East Coast home of America’s ballistic missile submarine fleet. These massive vessels carry nuclear weapons, making the base one of the most sensitive military installations in the country. Security is on another level—armed patrols, restricted waters, and constant surveillance keep the area tightly locked down. Even a curious fisherman who wanders too close will find out fast that this is not public property.
Inside the base, the Navy oversees some of the most advanced and secretive operations in America’s defense arsenal. Civilian access is flat-out forbidden, with entry reserved for military personnel and authorized staff only. The waters surrounding Kings Bay are just as restricted as the land, patrolled to ensure no outsiders slip in. If Fort Knox guards gold, this base guards something far more powerful—the deterrent behind America’s nuclear shield., security around the area is tight enough to squash snooping. Let’s just say this is one “sightseeing” stop you’ll never add to your travel itinerary.
17. Raven Rock Mountain Complex, Pennsylvania
Deep in the Appalachians lies Raven Rock, a bunker that doubles as a backup Pentagon. Built during the Cold War, this sprawling underground base is designed to keep government operations running even in the worst-case scenario. Inside, you’ll find offices, living quarters, and enough communication lines to survive an apocalypse. But unless you’re wearing a high-ranking uniform, those doors will stay shut.
For decades, Raven Rock has operated in the shadows. The only glimpse the public gets is the occasional declassified photo or a brief mention in official records. Even hikers wandering too close are met with heavy security and plenty of warning signs. Think of it as America’s insurance policy—one you’ll never get to cash in on.
16. Plum Island Animal Disease Center, New York
Just off the coast of Long Island, Plum Island looks like a quiet, windswept piece of land. In reality, it’s home to a high-security lab that once studied some of the world’s most dangerous livestock diseases. The facility has been so tightly restricted that even boaters are warned to keep their distance. Visiting Plum Island without clearance isn’t just frowned upon—it’s illegal.
For decades, rumors have swirled about what really goes on there. Some believe secret experiments stretched beyond animal diseases, giving the island an almost mythical reputation. While the lab is slated to be relocated, Plum Island itself will likely remain closed off. Its mysterious past ensures it stays one of America’s most off-limits spots.
15. Iron Mountain Vault, Pennsylvania
What do Walt Disney’s original drawings, master recordings from top musicians, and sensitive government documents have in common? They’re all stored in the Iron Mountain Vault. This former limestone mine in Boyers, Pennsylvania, is now one of the most secure storage sites in the world. With constant surveillance and biometric access, it makes Fort Knox look casual.
The vault sprawls across hundreds of underground acres, with its own roads and climate-controlled chambers. Companies, museums, and federal agencies trust it to preserve priceless assets. But if you think you can just stroll in for a tour, think again. The only thing the public gets is a list of rumors about what might be locked away inside.
14. Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado
Carved straight into a granite mountain, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is one of the most secure military facilities in America. Built during the Cold War, it was designed to survive nuclear blasts and keep defense operations running no matter what. Today, it serves as a backup command center for NORAD and U.S. Space Command. But for the average citizen, those blast doors may as well be the gates of another world.
Inside lies a maze of tunnels, control rooms, and living quarters built to withstand disasters. Its steel doors weigh 25 tons each, sealing the facility off from whatever chaos happens outside. The public only gets sanitized glimpses through documentaries or declassified photos. If you thought you could sneak a peek on a hike, think again—the mountain isn’t giving up its secrets.
13. Pentagon Basement Levels, Washington D.C.
The Pentagon may technically be open to public tours, but what lies beneath is another story. Beneath its five-sided structure are secure levels and rooms that the public will never see. These restricted zones are rumored to house high-tech command centers and sensitive military archives. Even the staff who work upstairs often have no idea what’s happening far below.
Security down there is tighter than anywhere else in the building. Multiple checkpoints, classified clearances, and layers of armed guards keep intruders out. If you think a smile and a strong interest in American history will get you access, think again. For most of us, the Pentagon’s hidden depths will remain just that—hidden.
12. Federal Reserve Bank Gold Vault, New York
Deep beneath the streets of Manhattan sits one of the largest gold vaults on Earth. The Federal Reserve Bank’s vault holds hundreds of thousands of gold bars, belonging to countries and banks from around the globe. Security is airtight, with guards, cameras, and locked chambers accessible only by advanced codes. Needless to say, there’s no way you’re strolling in for a quick look.
The vault sits 80 feet below street level, behind massive steel doors that could withstand nearly anything. Even employees don’t get access unless their duties absolutely require it. For everyone else, the only gold you’ll see in New York is in jewelry shops uptown. As far as hidden treasures go, this vault is strictly off-limits to human curiosity.
11. Camp David, Maryland
Nestled in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, Camp David is the presidential retreat you’ll never score an Airbnb at. For decades, it has hosted presidents, world leaders, and historic negotiations. Guarded by the Secret Service and the Marine Corps, its exact layout is classified. To the outside world, it’s just another forested stretch of mountains—but getting in is impossible.
The retreat has cabins, meeting spaces, and enough security tech to make James Bond jealous. Even the surrounding airspace is restricted, keeping prying drones or planes at bay. Visitors are limited to the most trusted staff and invited dignitaries. Unless your best friend happens to be Commander-in-Chief, Camp David will stay a dot on the map you can’t touch.
10. Fort Knox, Kentucky
You’ve probably heard the phrase “as secure as Fort Knox.” That’s because this place is the gold standard—literally. Home to billions of dollars in gold bullion, Fort Knox is a fortress where not even Indiana Jones could pull off a heist. Don’t let its solid granite walls tempt your inner treasure hunter. Even staring too long might set off alarms.
9. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, Virginia
Ever wonder where the government hides in disaster movies? Meet Mount Weather. This top-secret facility nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is so classified that even locals squint when you ask about it. Designed as a haven for high-ranking officials in the event of catastrophic disasters, it’s not a place for casual visitors. Even if you can do a killer rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” sorry, you won’t be welcome here.
8. Bohemian Grove, California
Ah, the mysterious summer camp for the world’s elite. Bohemian Grove, tucked away in a California redwood forest, has hosted powerful men (yes, men only) like presidents and CEOs since 1872. What do they do there? No one really knows—rumors range from benign networking to elaborate owl-worshipping rituals. Unless your resume says “billionaire” or “world leader,” you’ll just have to imagine the s’mores recipes.
7. Area 51, Nevada
Cue the UFO jokes! Area 51 isn’t just the backdrop for alien conspiracy theories—it’s an active military base specializing in top-secret tech. The signs warning “deadly force authorized” are no joke. So even if your dream bachelorette party involves probing for extraterrestrial evidence, better keep the festivities elsewhere.
6. Niʻihau Island, Hawaii
Nicknamed “The Forbidden Island,” Niʻihau is a slice of Hawaiian paradise reserved for a tiny local population and the Robinson family, who have owned the island since the 1860s. While the island’s pristine beaches seem like the perfect Instagram backdrop, don’t bother packing your lei—visitors aren’t allowed without an invitation. The reason? It’s all about preserving the traditional Hawaiian way of life.
5. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee
Known as the birthplace of the atomic bomb, Oak Ridge National Laboratory was part of the Manhattan Project and remains a tightly secured research site today. The lab works on everything from nuclear energy to cybersecurity, but access is extremely limited to protect sensitive experiments. While history buffs might dream of sneaking a peek, unauthorized visitors would face more red flags than a spy thriller.
4. The Coca-Cola Vault, Georgia
Atlanta might be the home of peach cobbler and catchy hip-hop hooks, but it’s also where the Coca-Cola recipe is stashed away like the crown jewels. Housed in a high-security vault, the closely guarded formula is a no-go zone for the public. Sure, you can tour the World of Coca-Cola museum next door, but the actual vault? It’s all off-limits. The secret formula remains locked up tighter than a 90s diary.
3. North Brother Island, New York
Sitting quietly in the East River, North Brother Island feels like a spooky postcard from New York’s forgotten history. Once home to a quarantine hospital, it’s now an overgrown bird sanctuary. Access is restricted to protect nesting herons and other wildlife. And while the idea of a secret, abandoned island sounds very Gossip Girl-meets-Halloween, stepping foot here will only make you a trespasser.
2. The Mormon Church Vault, Utah
Built deep inside a granite mountain near Salt Lake City, the Mormon Church’s vault is like Fort Knox, but for genealogical records. It houses over 3.5 billion pages of family history, kept safe from natural disasters and, well, curious humans. You’ll need special permission and a very good reason to enter. Sorry, “finding out if you’re related to Taylor Swift” isn’t going to cut it.
1. The Nevada National Security Site, Nevada
This sprawling desert expanse, formerly known as the Nevada Test Site, is infamous as the testing ground for over 1,000 nuclear detonations during the mid-20th century. Today, it’s strictly off-limits to the public, both for safety and secrecy. Radiation hazards make it a no-go zone, and even if you could handle the science behind it, the armed guards won’t let you get close. This eerie landscape of craters is a stark reminder of America’s atomic age—and a place no human is likely to step foot in again.
This post Top 18 Prohibited Areas In America No Human Can Enter was first published on American Charm.
