Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy, the Air Force's premier institution for developing leaders of character, greatly influences the area with its commerce, employment, and culture. The Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitor Center serves as the gateway to the Academy, providing information on its history and cadet life to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Nationally recognized for its architectural and natural beauty, the Academy was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour through Arnold Hall and Honor Court as well as enjoy the one-third mile paved nature trail to the Cadet Chapel. As the training ground for tomorrow’s Air Force leaders, the scenic 18,000 acre campus doubles as a university and boot camp. Each year approximately 10,000 men and women vie for the 1,000 slots available for entering freshman. There are 4,000 cadets attending the academy. Of the more than 35,009 cadets that have graduated in 44 classes, more than 51 percent are still on active duty. The base is open for visitors between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. 7 days a week. Both the North and South gates will be staffed and identification will be checked. Visitors will enter the base using the far right visitor lane and must present a valid state issued drivers license to the sentry at the gate, visitors will be asked to open their trunk for a cursory visual search prior to entering USAFA. (During some special events such as home football games and graduation, a visitor cordon will be restored and access to parts of the United States Air Force Academy will be temporarily restricted.) | 
