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Trinity Site

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

The Trinity Site, located in the Jornada del Muerto desert of New Mexico, is the location of the world's first nuclear weapon detonation on July 16, 1945. This test was the culmination of the Manhattan Project and ushered in the Atomic Age, using a plutonium implosion device codenamed Gadget. The explosion released energy equivalent to approximately 21 kilotons of TNT and fused the desert sand into a greenish glass known as trinitite. Today, the site is part of the White Sands Missile Range and is marked by a black lava rock obelisk identifying the exact hypocenter. Despite its historical significance, the area remains closed for most of the year due to residual radioactivity and is only accessible to the public during two designated days annually. The test's success confirmed the functionality of the complex implosion mechanism that would be used over Nagasaki just weeks later.

Location: United States
Top sights: Jumbo · Trinity Site
Nearby: Albuquerque (49 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	3	6	10	15	20	26	26	25	22	15	8	4
Rain mm	15	15	12	12	14	17	61	51	44	27	17	16

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Trinity Site is open to the public only during two annual open house events, typically in April and October. Visitors can walk to the actual ground zero and see the monument.

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Typical hours

During the open houses, access is usually from early morning to early afternoon. Exact dates and times are announced by the White Sands Missile Range.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the site, including at the obelisk marking ground zero. Do not take artifacts or disturb the ground.

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Time needed

Plan for about 2-3 hours to travel from the entrance gate and explore the site. The drive from the gate to ground zero is about 30 minutes each way.

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Combine with

Combine with a visit to the nearby White Sands National Park. Also consider the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo.

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Getting there

Access is via a controlled gate on US Highway 380, about 60 miles east of Las Cruces. A valid photo ID is required for entry.

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Insider tip

Arrive early as long queues form during open house. Bring water, snacks, and sun protection as there are no facilities at the site.

Geography

Coordinates

33.67700, -106.47600

Facts

The detonation occurred at 05:29:45 local time.
The 100-foot steel tower holding the device was completely vaporized.
The atomic mushroom cloud reached an altitude of over 7.5 miles.
The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
It is located approximately 35 miles southeast of Socorro, New Mexico.
Trinitite is highly regulated and it is illegal to remove it from the site.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Albuquerque49 km · SWExplore →

El Paso60 km · EExplore →

Santa Fe84 km · NWExplore →

Taos131 km · NWExplore →

Taos Pueblo134 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Trinity Site (2)

Jumbo📍 landmark

Jumbo is a large steel vessel at the Trinity Site, associated with the first nuclear test.

Trinity Site 📍 landmark

Trinity Site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion in 1945.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When is the site open?

Trinity Site is open to the public only a few days a year.

Do I have to pay admission?

No, access is free on the days it is open.

Do I need identification?

Yes, a valid photo ID is required to enter the military base.

Are there tours?

There are no guided tours; you visit the grounds on your own.

Can I take photos of everything?

Photography is allowed, but stay within marked paths.

Trinity Site: where is it located?

Trinity Site is located in United States.

Trinity Site: what is there to see?

Highlights include Jumbo, Trinity Site.

Trinity Site: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

Trinity Site: why is it worth visiting?

The Trinity Site, located in the Jornada del Muerto desert of New Mexico, is the location of the world's first nuclear weapon detonation on July 16, 1945.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Trinity Site

Best time to visit & climate