You're driving along the scenic Great Ocean Highway, listening to Non-Stop-Pop FM, and suddenly you see a massive fence. Behind it? Tanks, fighter jets, and a bunch of guys who really, really want to shoot you.
That is Fort Zancudo.
Honestly, finding where is military base on gta 5 isn't hard once you know the landmark, but getting inside without turning into a swiss-cheese version of yourself is the real challenge. It sits on the western coast of San Andreas, nestled right between the swampy Lago Zancudo and the base of Mount Josiah. If you’re looking at your map, it’s that big, gray, tooth-shaped protrusion on the left side, roughly halfway between the city and Paleto Bay.
Most players just stumble upon it. They take a wrong turn near the tunnel and suddenly have four stars and a Rhino tank up their tailpipe.
The Exact GPS Coordinates for Fort Zancudo
If you want the "professional" way to find it, just follow the coast north from Los Santos. You'll hit a massive tunnel that goes under the base. That's the Great Ocean Highway (Route 1). The base itself covers a huge chunk of land, but the main entrance is located just off this highway on the north side of the tunnel.
There's also a secondary entrance on the east side, tucked away on Route 68.
It's massive. Seriously. The base features a primary runway, a secondary cross-wind runway, and several massive hangars that house the P-996 LAZER fighter jets everyone is dying to steal. There is even a fire station on-site, though they’re usually more busy putting out the fires you caused than helping you out.
🔗 Read more: How to Create My Own Dragon: From Sketchpad to Digital Reality
Why You Can't Just Walk In
The second your tires touch the tarmac inside that fence, the game loses its mind. You get an instant 4-star wanted level. This isn't like the regular police where they might try to arrest you; the military is authorized to use lethal force immediately.
I’ve seen players try to casually stroll past the guards. It never works.
Breaking In: The "Ramp" Method
There is a natural rock formation that looks suspiciously like a ramp right near the North entrance of the tunnel on the Great Ocean Highway. If you hit that at about 100 mph in a fast car like the T20 or even a modified Sultan, you can vault over the fence and land right on the runway. It’s the classic move. It’s also incredibly satisfying when you stick the landing and weave between the tanks.
The "Lester" Cheat Code
If you’re playing GTA Online, you have a massive advantage. You can literally pay your way in. Open your phone, call Lester Crest, and select the Cops Turn a Blind Eye option. It costs $5,000, but for three minutes, you can walk around the base like you own the place. You can even stand next to a tank and wave at the driver.
Just don't shoot anyone. The second you pull a trigger or steal a vehicle, the deal is off and the world starts exploding again.
Stealing the P-996 LAZER (And Living to Tell the Tale)
Most people looking for the military base are really just looking for the jet. It's the crown jewel of Fort Zancudo. These things are parked in the large hangars or sometimes just out on the apron near the main runway.
💡 You might also like: Why Titanfall 2 Pilot Helmets Are Still the Gold Standard for Sci-Fi Design
Stealing one is a rite of passage.
- Enter fast. Use the ramp or the Lester trick.
- Head for the open hangars. The jets inside are protected from sniper fire while you’re getting in.
- The "Stay Low" Rule. This is the part everyone messes up. Once you take off, stay as low to the ground as possible until you clear the base perimeter. If you fly too high too fast, the base’s automated surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) will lock onto you.
- The Roll. If you do hear that "beep-beep-beep" of a missile lock, do a tight barrel roll or a vertical loop. The missiles in GTA 5 have a decent turning radius, but they can't handle a sharp evasive maneuver from a skilled pilot.
Differences Between Story Mode and Online
It's kinda weird how the base treats you differently depending on who you are. In Story Mode, if you’re playing as Trevor, you can use his "Red Mist" ability to tank a few extra hits while you're running toward a jet.
In GTA Online, the base is a bit more "commercial." Since the Smuggler’s Run update, you can actually buy a hangar inside Fort Zancudo.
If you own a hangar there (the cheapest is Hangar 3497 for about $1.2 million), you get a low-level clearance. This means you can drive through the gates without the military attacking you. You still can't go around shooting people, but it makes the base a great "safe" spot to hang out. Plus, it’s hilarious to watch other players get blown up by the NPCs while you just drive past in your Pink Faggio.
The Weird Stuff: UFOs and Easter Eggs
Fort Zancudo isn't just about military hardware. It's one of the spookiest spots in the game at night. If you’ve managed to hit 100% completion in Story Mode, fly a helicopter or jet directly above the base at 3:00 AM.
There is a UFO that spawns there.
📖 Related: Sex Fallout New Vegas: Why Obsidian’s Writing Still Outshines Modern RPGs
It’s not like the other UFOs in the game; this one has a very distinct, "human-made" military look to it. It has "Segregate and Rearrange" written on it and makes a terrifying humming sound that can actually stall your engine if you get too close. There is also a green light that appears over the bunker elevator at 3 AM. People have spent years trying to figure out if you can get into the basement of that bunker, but honestly? It seems like it's just a cool visual detail Rockstar added to keep the mystery alive.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Visit
If you're heading there right now, don't go in without a plan.
Grab a fast, armored vehicle—the Kuruma (Armored) is the gold standard for this. Even though it won't stop a tank shell, it'll keep the small arms fire from the soldiers from ending your run before you reach a hangar.
Drive to the north side of the tunnel, hit the hill-ramp, and aim for the hangars on the left. Once you're in the jet, stay below the height of the control tower until you’re over the ocean. You'll lose your stars way faster over the water where the police boats can't reach you.
The military base is basically the ultimate playground in GTA 5, provided you have the nerves to handle the heat. Just remember: the tanks always have right of way.
Always.