There are tons of abandoned places in New Jersey that we love to explore, many of which are truly fascinating. For prime exploring, many head to the Pine Barrens. The woods are filled with remnants of former milling and mining towns, several of which are hidden and others that are like well-preserved attractions (such as the magnificent Batsto Village). However, you can also find abandoned barns up in Sussex County, abandoned factories in Essex County, and abandoned NJ bunkers in Cape May County. These once-vibrant buildings played such an important role in history, and now they're being reclaimed by nature. And while the abandoned Cape May WWII bunker, Battery 223 that we're referring to today may not be considered hidden to locals, it's certainly an offbeat attraction in New Jersey for many visitors. Exactly how much of the Cape May bunker you can see at any given time depends on the tides.
This is the iconic Cape May WIII bunker. Known as Battery 223, it was originally 900 feet or so from the shoreline when it was first built in the 1940s.
The battery is not hidden today, but it was once covered in sand and sod, one of several underground bunkers in New Jersey at the time.
Greenery still grows atop the battery.
The harbor defense battery was built to help protect America's coast. It was completed in 1943.
The structure was designed to host a six-inch battery and survive a direct hit from battleships or aircraft. It was built with 6.5-foot thick reinforced concrete walls and a thick, blast-proof roof.
The six-inch guns had a nine-mile range!
The Cape May bunker's guns were never fired at an enemy. Drills and live fire tests were conducted here. Battery 223 was decommissioned in 1944.
By 1950, the Army had dismantled all of the fixed gun harbor defenses. At some point after 1958, Battery 223 was used for radio communications by the Navy. In 1962, it became part of the Cape May Point State Park.
All entrances were sealed, but a sign gives us some insights as to what was once inside.
We know that the facility contained powder rooms, latrines, shell rooms, shower rooms, a switchboard and radio room, a generator room, and more.
For a closer look at this abandoned WWII bunker in New Jersey, check out the short video below by YouTube user, Abandoned Walkthroughs.
Have you ever visited the Cape May bunker? Were you familiar with this abandoned underground bunker in New Jersey? Ready to explore it for yourself? You can find it by parking near the Cape May Lighthouse and walking towards the ocean for a few hundred yards. We can't wait to hear about your adventures!
If you're looking to travel to the area, you'll find no shortage of Vrbo vacation rental homes in Cape May, NJ. This region of the Jersey Shore is a great place for a vacation!
To discover an equally intriguing attraction at a nearby beach, check out our coverage of the S.S. Atlantus.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!