In the modern era, research is effortlessly accessible with just a few keystrokes. Whether using a phone or laptop, the vast expanse of knowledge is available to the curious mind. However, there are certain top-secret locations that remain shrouded in mystery, resisting even the most determined inquiries.
The sites on this list are strictly off-limits to the public, enforced due to hazardous conditions, political sensitivities, rumors of paranormal activity or extraterrestrial presence, and various other reasons. Attempting to infiltrate these areas can result in substantial fines, if not imprisonment, for those daring enough to try capturing snapshots with their smartphones.
1. Area 51
Where: Paradise Ranch, Nevada (Formerly Known As)
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $2,280*
Area 51, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, stands as one of America’s most renowned military installations. Nestled in the Nevada desert, this clandestine U.S. Air Force base is enveloped in secrecy, fueling a plethora of rumors, urban legends, and myths. The operations within its boundaries remain highly classified, further amplifying its enigmatic reputation.
Though Area 51 inspired a Netflix movie bearing its name, the activities within remain shrouded in mystery. The consequences for trespassing into this enigmatic alien and UFO site are severe, with fines exceeding $2,000 for each violator.
2. Vatican Secret Archive
Where: The Vatican
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $275 Vatican trespassing fee*
Access to the Vatican Secret Archive is highly restricted, with only scholars over the age of seventy-five granted permission to study its contents. When authorized, these academics enter through an entrance meticulously guarded by the Swiss military.
These scholars are permitted to access up to three pre-requested documents daily, with no exceptions. Technically, the ownership of this enigmatic library rests with the Pope, who retains this privilege until his death or resignation. Upon such an event, the ownership is then transferred to his successor.
3. Little Hall’s Pond Cay
Where: Bahamas
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $50*
Little Hall’s Pond Cay is a privately-owned island inaccessible to the general public. However, its previous owner is widely known: Johnny Depp, famed for his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Depp purchased the island several years ago and subsequently sold it to J.K. Rowling.
Little Hall’s Pond Cay exudes the charm of a Disney fairytale, with its verdant tropical vegetation, crystalline waters, and pristine white sands. The island’s infrastructure is powered by solar energy, and the encompassing areas are designated as a wildlife refuge, preserving the natural beauty and ecological diversity of the region.
4. Vale do Javari
Where: Brazil
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: Undisclosed
The Brazilian government has prohibited non-indigenous individuals from entering the Vale do Javari (Valle del Javari). This indigenous territory, one of Brazil’s largest, spans tens of thousands of square miles.
Vale do Javari is home to the highest concentration of isolated indigenous communities in the world. Due to their vulnerability to diseases and external threats, these indigenous groups are protected from contact with the outside world.
5. Korean Demilitarized Zone, DMZ
Where: The Korean Peninsula
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $155 (if South Korea catches you)*
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea is a stretch of land that runs across the Korean Peninsula, serving as a buffer zone between South and North Korea. Despite its name, the DMZ is a heavily fortified area, effectively acting as a border barrier between the two countries.
The term “world’s most dangerous border” might seem like a plot from a Netflix action thriller, but it exists in reality. This area is remote, filled with fences and landmines, and as recently as 2020, North and South Korea exchanged gunfire across the DMZ.
6. Maya Bay
Where: Thailand
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: Undisclosed
After the release of the 2000 movie “The Beach,” featuring A-list actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Thailand’s Maya Bay gained widespread fame for its crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand. This newfound popularity led to a surge in tourist numbers, but it also came with consequences.
The ecosystem of Maya Bay suffered significant damage from boat traffic, leading to congestion and pollution that decimated 80% of its coral reefs. Consequently, the authorities closed Maya Bay. Now, to experience its beauty, people can rent “The Beach” on Amazon Prime Video.
7. Aksai Chin
Where: India/China (Disputed Territory)
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $500-$1,000*
Aksai Chin, a border region disputed between China and India, predominantly falls under Chinese control. Neglected for years due to its desolate and remote terrain, Aksai Chin sparked Chinese interest in the 1950s.
The military of the country constructed a road through the area to link Tibet to Xinjiang, a move strongly opposed by India. This triggered border conflicts that started in 1962 and, to some extent, persist to this day.
8. Bohemian Grove
Where: Monte Rio, California
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $1,000 or 6 months in jail (maximum)*
The motto “Weaving Spiders Come Not Here” hangs outside Bohemian Grove’s headquarters, serving as a reminder to attendees that business is to be left at the door. Located in Monte Rio, California, Bohemian Grove is a secretive society.
Meetings are held at a secluded 2,700-acre private compound in Monte Rio, where prospective members undergo a rigorous selection process. Apart from a $25,000 initiation fee, membership is by invitation only, with a substantial waiting list currently in place. The club maintains a high level of secrecy, although there are documentaries on YouTube claiming to unravel the mysteries of Bohemian Grove.
9. Google Data Centers
Where: North America, Asia, Europe, and South America
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $500-$5,000, depending on where it is*
Google operates data centers across four continents, accessible exclusively to authorized employees. These facilities operate around the clock, consuming up to 103 megawatts of electricity.
A single data center is estimated to cost at least $600 million. These centers are crucial for maintaining Google’s products, and the total setup cost for all its centers was rumored to be around $13 billion in 2019 alone.
10. Chapel of the Tablet
Where: Ethiopia
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $25-$250*
In Aksum, Ethiopia, lies the Chapel of the Tablet, believed by some to be the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant. Legend has it that the Ark is protected by a virgin sentinel, who is bound to never depart from the Chapel’s grounds.
The Guardian of the Covenant is the sole individual permitted to lay eyes on the Ark within the Chapel’s off-limits catacombs. This intriguing story, reminiscent of PARA and its adventures, has propelled the Chapel to fame, attracting inquisitive tourists from across the globe to the quaint Ethiopian town.
11. Chauvet Cave
Where: France
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: Up to $16,000*
Situated in southeastern France, the Chauvet Cave boasts some of the world’s most impeccably preserved figurative cave paintings and drawings, alongside other artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic era.
Due to its historical importance, public access to the Chauvet Cave is prohibited. The artwork in the cave showcases a variety of techniques and tools, depicting a wide array of subjects and events from the Paleolithic era.
12. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
Where: Oregon
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: Up to $1,000*
The Tillamook Rock Light stands as a silent sentinel on the Oregonian coast of the U.S., situated just a mile off the shore of Tillamook Head. Constructed in 1880 atop a precarious rock, this lighthouse is now inactive, its history steeped in daring construction endeavors.
Due to its remote location, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is off-limits to visitors. Known as “Terrible Tilly” due to its harsh environment, the lighthouse is said to be cursed by gods, spirits, and ghosts, with these rumors dating back to its construction and even earlier, according to Native American legends.
13. Langley
Where: McLean, Virginia
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $2,500 or 1 year in prison (maximum)*
Langley, an unincorporated town in McLean, Virginia, is renowned for housing clandestine U.S. government facilities. It is notably home to the George Bush Center for Intelligence, serving as the CIA’s headquarters.
The CIA moved its headquarters from Washington D.C. to Langley in the early 1960s, where it has remained since. While Langley itself is open to the public, the CIA headquarters are highly secure and not accessible to visitors.
14. Fort Knox
Where: Kentucky
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: $1,000 or 6-12 months in prison*
Fort Knox, situated in Kentucky, is renowned for its impregnability. This U.S. Army installation is off-limits, and those who try to breach its security face severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment. Remarkably, there hasn’t been a single burglary attempt at this fortress since 1935.
Visitors are not allowed at Fort Knox, situated near the U.S. Bullion Depository. Currently, Fort Knox holds 143.7 million troy ounces of gold, approximately half of the U.S. Treasury’s holdings.
15. Pluto’s Gate
Where: Turkey
Cost Of Penalty For Visiting: Undisclosed
Pluto’s Gate, also known as the Ploutonion at Hierapolis, was uncovered in the 1960s by Italian archaeologists. The excavation of this Turkish site revealed it to be a ploutonion, a sacred sanctuary dedicated to the worship of Plouton in Hierapolis.
The petite cave has long been whispered to serve as a gateway to the underworld in both Greek and Roman beliefs. While the exterior of the cave has been accessible to the public since 2022, much of Pluto’s Gate remains veiled from curious gazes to safeguard its sanctity.