Rachel

Rachel, Nevada, population 75, sits on the edge of Area 51. At first glance, the town gives off a middle-of-nowhere vibe, but with common reports of extraterrestrial activity, Rachel attracts UFO chasers from around the globe hoping to lay eyes on a flying saucer. Notoriety has followed. At the heart of town is the Little A’Le’Inn, a peculiar motel, restaurant, and watering hole where alien enthusiasts convene and swap stories of the latest sightings and theories. This popular spot also sells its own alien-themed souvenirs and t-shirts—either intriguing or amusing, depending on your UFO stance. Either way, the cafe’s a fun pitstop on the way to the 28,000-acre Mount Irish Wilderness Area. Camping is free throughout the region, and the craggy limestone cliffs are prime bighorn sheep and pronghorn habitat. Rachel also draws modern-day treasure hunters who use online clues and GPS to explore over a thousand geocache sites along Highway 375, where the cache densities are some of the highest in the country.