10 Staggering Photos Of An Abandoned WWII Bunker Hiding In New Jersey

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.

1. Battery 223: Cape May’s Iconic WWII Bunker With a Fascinating Past

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. Battery 223 is one of several coastal defense bunkers constructed in New Jersey during World War II. 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.

2. Nature Is Reclaiming Cape May’s Historic Battery 223

Greenery still grows atop the battery. When you visit today, you'll realize that nature has slowly reclaimed the concrete structure, blending it into the surrounding dunes. While at it, don't forget to explore more about these abandoned places in New Jersey.

3. Built in 1943, This Harbor Defense Battery Protected America’s Coast

The harbor defense battery was built to help protect America's coast. It was completed in 1943 and was part of the U.S. coastal defense system during WWII.

4. Battery 223’s 6.5-Foot-Thick Walls Could Endure Battleship Fire

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. Thick walls and roof were engineered to withstand artillery and air strikes.

5. Battery 223’s Six-Inch Guns Packed a Nine-Mile Punch

The six-inch guns had a nine-mile range! These guns could protect a vast stretch of New Jersey coastline.

6. Cape May’s WWII Bunker Was Used for Drills, Not Battle

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. Even though it was never used in combat, the battery played a strategic defensive role.

7. From Defense Post to State Park: The Evolving Story of Battery 223

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. Today, it is a historic site within a state park. When you visit, you get a chance to walk nearby and observe the structure.

9. You Can’t Go Inside, but a Sign Reveals Battery 223’s Hidden Past

All entrances were sealed, but a sign offers a glimpse into what was once inside. Signage describes powder rooms, shell rooms, latrines, and radio rooms.

10. Inside Battery 223: A Glimpse at the Rooms Hidden Beneath the Concrete

We know that the facility contained powder rooms, latrines, shell rooms, shower rooms, a switchboard and radio room, a generator room, and more. The bunker’s complex design supported full military operations during WWII.

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. You can share your thoughts with us about your adventures by completing this nomination form.

And when planning to visit, be sure to use our Only In Your State New Jersey Itinerary Planner to discover hidden gems like Battery 223, historic Batsto Village, and the intriguing S.S. Atlantus shipwreck. To find an interesting attraction at a nearby beach, you can check out the best state park beaches in New Jersey.