Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Utah is home to breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities, rabid fanbases and more than a few mysterious locations you aren't allowed to visit.
From military installations to private facilities, doomsday communities and dangerous caves, Utah has plenty of mysterious locales to capture thrill seeker's imaginations.
"At first blush, getting close to danger seems like a bad idea … But there is an evolutionary logic to these actions. Morbid curiosity is a powerful way for animals to gain information about the most dangerous things in their environment," wrote Athena Aktipis and Colton Scrivner for Scientific American.
So yeah, it's understandable if these sites pique your interest. But seriously — while the following places might sound tantalizing to the inner explorer in you, they are 100% off-limits, so don't even try to pay a visit.
The Mars Desert Research Station
Nestled near Hanksville, this Mars simulation site is operated by the Mars Society and provides a Mars-like living experience that feels remarkably like the real thing.
Scientists, engineers and space enthusiasts live and work in isolation there and conduct experiments that could help shape humanity's future in space — at least, if Christopher Nolan gets his way.
The Mars Desert Research Station includes a habitat module, observatory, greenhouses and research laps designed to mimic conditions on Mars as closely as possible.
Teams often focus on testing equipment, survival strategies and scientific protocols for eventual use in space exploration — hopefully on Mars.
Access is restricted to approved researchers to preserve the integrity of the experiments and simulations and ensure the safety of the participants. However, if you wish to participate as a crew member, you can find more information here.
Clive nuclear disposal facility
Although the Clive Disposal Facility is not the most secret site on this list, it is certainly one of the most fascinating.
Located in Utah's West Desert, this facility handles low-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, site remediations, medical and research endeavors and other sources — which may or may not include your great aunt's green Jell-O.
"With over 35 years of operational experience, the Clive disposal facility plays a vital role in the nuclear industry as a safe and compliant option for permanent disposal of radioactive waste," said the Energy Solutions website.
Strict federal and state regulations limit access to trained professionals only, ensuring that the handling and storage of radioactive waste comply with safety and environmental standards. Visitors are also prohibited to minimize risks and protect the surrounding ecosystem.
Granite Mountain Records Vault
When it was revealed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that, "Behold, there shall be a record kept among you," perhaps no one anticipated that one day those records would be stored in a state-of-the-art facility inside a mountain in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The vault, according to the Church's website, safeguards "... 3.5 billion images on microfilm, microfiche and digital media. Currently, the Church is in the process of digitizing the microfilms and making those digital records available through the FamilySearch.org website."
The Church takes its records seriously. The vault is climate-controlled and built to endure an atomic blast. To safeguard these irreplaceable records and documents, public access is prohibited.
Only authorized personnel who can pass biometric access controls are allowed entry, and security is always ready to run interference with passersby.
The Old Mill
A relic of the 19th century, the Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights is steeped in mystique. Originally built as a paper mill, it fell into disuse and caught fire in 1893.
The stone structure was then given a second life as a dance hall, concert venue, haunted house and craft boutique until it was condemned in 2005. Its eerie atmosphere and rumored hauntings have made it a popular subject for urban legends and ghost stories.
Safety concerns are why it was condemned, and trespassing attempts are met with strict enforcement. "People come in there all the time and we cite people regularly," Sgt. Gary Young with Cottonwood Heights Police Department said in an interview with KSL TV.
Tooele Army Depot
The Tooele Army Depot's mission is to "provide warfighter readiness through superior ammunition logistics and ammunition peculiar equipment production and maintenance."
Their vision is to be the Department of Defense's "... premier conventional ammunition hub and ammunition peculiar equipment center."
In other words, the depot stores and disposes of obsolete munitions and chemical weapons. Located near Tooele, the depot has played a vital role in the demilitarization of chemical agents as part of international disarmament agreements.
Access is restricted to trained personnel who follow rigorous safety guidelines to prevent accidents.
Honorable mentions
Other secure and secret Utah sites you aren't allowed to visit include Skinwalker Ranch, the Dugway Proving Ground and more. All these locations highlight Utah's unique role, ranging from cutting-edge research and national security matters to waste management and preserving natural history.
While you are not able to visit, these sites contribute significantly to the state's mystique and importance on the national and global stage.
5 amazing Utah locations you probably haven't experienced
You've likely even been to Lake Powell, Goblin Valley and Little Sahara. But even if you are a lifelong Utah resident, chances are you haven't made it to all of the places on this list.Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn't always the answer when it is needed having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you're up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion for them.
