Behind Los Santos’s polished surface lie secretive government facilities teeming with mystery, hidden experiments, and forbidden zones that few players dare to explore. These locations in GTA 5 aren’t just pieces of scenery-they hold stories, theories, and secrets waiting to be uncovered by those who know where to search.
Fort Zancudo
Fort Zancudo is a heavy equipment mine
The mysterious military base is hidden behind a west side of San Andreas. You will be nearby it several times during your missions, but probably you won’t get inside – which is worth a trip. You can find there, among others, Rhino tank, Lazer P-996 jet, Buzzard helicopter and even a powerful Titan. But, unfortunately, entering the base is equal to four Wanted Stars. And, additionally, you can simply sneak in and penetrate freely so you have to rush things inside, because the longer you’re inside, the harder is to get out due to the growing number of guards and machines. But you can get a bit crazy inside. Besides interesting training center in there, you can also find a lot of weapons spread here and there like a minigun.
Humane Labs and Research Company
Humane Labs
Another secret place with not clear features is a Humane Labs and Research Company. Located on the eastern coast, almost opposite to the Fort Zancudo. Like in the case of the Fort, you get four Stars for only getting in there. You visit it in one mission, but directly from the inside. o see it from the outside, you have to get there alone. What’s interesting, you can take a cab which will take you to the very entrance. But you always get a four stars.
National Office of Security Enforcement
On the roof of NOOSE you find a Buzzard
On the eastern cost you can also find a headquarter of NOOSE. It’s another governmental facility. But on the contrary to Fort Zancudo and HLRC entering it won’t cause any stars. You can find there, for instance, a Buzzard helicopter on the roof. To get there, you have to climb up on the ladder on backs on right from the main entrance and then get on the left side of the building.
Prison
This prison isn’t well guarded
Bolingbroke Penitentiary located on south from the Trevor’s hangar in Sandy Shores is another place you can visit looking for an adventure. An attempt of breaking in gives you Wanted level but riding around it is completely safe. Next to the prison you can find runaways. They’ll pretend to be hitchhikers, but don’t get fooled – they are armed. You can recognize them for their orange uniforms.
How to sneak into Fort Zancudo without getting four stars
Sneaking into Fort Zancudo without instantly triggering four stars requires exploiting glitches, specific vehicles, or mission contexts in GTA 5. Direct entry typically alerts guards, but methods like vehicle jumps, trenches, or Lester’s ability (in Online) can delay detection. Success depends on precise timing and character choice.
Vehicle Jump Entry
Drive a fast super car (e.g., Entity XF) or motorcycle toward the base’s southern dirt path along the freeway north of Fort Zancudo. Use the hillside as a ramp to jump the outer fence directly into a trench entrance on the right-this avoids the front checkpoint and lets you navigate the perimeter undetected. Once inside the trench, quick-save, then exit toward the runway for about 10 seconds of free movement before alarms trigger, giving time to reach jets or tanks. Super vehicles or bikes sometimes slip past guards if timed with their patrol direction.
Sniper and Bike Method
Park a Sanchez bike near entrance bushes, snipe the front guard with a silenced rifle to gain temporary stars that fade quickly, then speed inside lights-off (ideally at night or in spec ops gear). Rush to hangars for protected vehicle theft while minimizing exposure-works best solo without spawned helicopters.
Online Lester Blind Eye
Call Lester from your phone, pay 5K for “Cops Turn Blind Eye” (lasts 3 minutes), then jump the fence undetected to grab jets or vehicles-no stars during the window.
Special Contexts
During Trevor’s “Fair Game” hunting mission, run from the grounds to explore freely without hostility. Alternatively, jack a big rig, drive the perimeter to the control tower, and use it to climb buildings for interior access without stars.
Best vehicle and loadout for sneaking into Fort Zancudo
The best vehicle for sneaking into Fort Zancudo is a fast, agile supercar like the Entity XF or a Sanchez dirt bike due to their speed and ramp-jumping ability. Pair it with a stealth-focused loadout including a suppressed sniper rifle and Trevor’s character for his special abilities. This setup maximizes entry success and quick escapes.
Optimal Vehicle
Use the Entity XF supercar for the southern dirt path jump: accelerate from the freeway north of the base, hit the hillside ramp to clear the fence into the trench. Alternatively, a Sanchez bike excels for the sniper method-park in entrance bushes, snipe the guard silently, then dash inside lights-off at night. Trucks or SUVs work for perimeter climbs near the gate but risk detection.
Ideal Loadout
Equip a suppressed sniper rifle (crafted via Ammu-Nation) to silently take out the front guard from afar, minimizing initial stars. Wear spec ops gear or go shirtless as Trevor for patrol blending, and carry sticky bombs or RPGs for post-entry vehicle defense. Quick-save post-jump, and use Trevor’s rage mode if stars activate early.
Execution Tips
Combine with Lester’s “Cops Turn Blind Eye” (GTA Online, $5K for 3 minutes) or the “Fair Game” mission for zero-star windows. Nighttime entries reduce visibility, and low-profile approaches (no headlights) extend undetected time to snag Lazers or Rhinos.
