Most People Have No Idea These 14 Abandoned Tunnels Around The U.S. Exist

There's nothing quite so mysterious as deep, dark abandoned tunnels leading into the unknown. America is riddled with abandoned tunnels that continue to fascinate with their incredible histories and beautiful construction. Check out these amazing examples of abandoned tunnels in the United States. Be sure to find out whether or not you are allowed to be on the property before going, as many are unsafe or privately owned.

1. California - Burro Schmidt Tunnel, Kern County

This half-mile and one of the most interesting abandoned tunnels is carved deep into the El Paso Mountains in the Mojave Desert. It was excavated entirely by hand by William "Burro" H. Schmidt in 1900 while he was mining for gold. Schmidt needed a passage through the mountains to transport his ore. If you are looking for abandoned places in the U.S. to explore, you are free to do so in this tunnel.

2. Washington - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Tunnel is part of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail in Iron Horse State Park. This abandoned railroad tunnel was first constructed in 1912 and now serves as a pitch-black, 2.3-mile hiking and biking path beneath Snoqualmie Pass. There aren't any light sources within the tunnel, so visitors should bring their own flashlights and reflective gear.

Check out one of the abandoned tunnels near me - and the hike in general - in this fascinating video!

3. Washington D.C.: Dupont Circle Tunnels

This abandoned underground trolley station is made up of nearly a mile of deserted passages. Originally opened in 1949 and closed in 1963 as driving supplanted trolley transportation, some parts of the tunnels were converted to fallout shelters in the 1970s. Today, art installations have begun popping up in the Dupont Underground.

4. Maryland - Stickpile Tunnel, Little Orleans

An abandoned railroad tunnel runs beneath the historic Green Ridge State Forest state park in western Maryland. Built in the early 1900s, the tunnel's tracks were removed in 1975 and the area has been a favorite haunt of explorers (and some say ghosts) ever since.

5. Florida - Tunnel Cave, Marianna

This is the only spot in the nation where an unguided, state park trail, Bluff Trail, runs through a cave. Discover more about this cool hike on AllTrails' website.

The cave tunnel isn't very long, but the space is small and visitors must make their way through almost perfect darkness in order to pass through to the other side. One of the best abandoned tunnels in the United States is located in Florida Caverns State Park. Guided tours of the park's other caves are available.

6. Oregon - Mosier Twin Tunnels, Mosier

These awesome tunnels are located in the Columbia River Gorge on the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail. See more gorgeous photos on AllTrails' website.

Built in 1922, the tunnels were restored as a hiking and biking trail in 2000. The raw stone walls of the tunnels are gorgeous, and the trail's multiple scenic overlooks and picnic spots are incredible.

7. North Carolina - The Road To Nowhere, Bryson City

With an enigmatic name to match its unique history, The Road To Nowhere tunnel was built in the 1940s after the creation of Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The tunnel was meant to grant the families displaced by the park's creation access to ancestral cemeteries, but the road was never completed. Today, The Road To Nowhere tunnel literally leads...nowhere.

8. New Jersey - Sterling Hill Mines Rainbow Tunnel, Ogdensburg

The fluorescent colors in this breathtaking abandoned mining tunnel are actually a completely natural phenomenon. Located in the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, the Rainbow Tunnel's astounding coloration is the result of exposed zinc ore, which glows when illuminated under ultraviolet light. The mine offers tours of one of the abandoned places near me, which are well-lit, wheelchair accessible, and require no climbing.

Learn more about this magnificent tunnel in this informative video:

9. Texas - Old Tunnel State Park, Fredericksburg

This 920-foot railroad tunnel was constructed in the 19th century. Trains stopped running through the tunnel in 1942, and today it is home to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats and 3,000 Cave myotis bats. The bats emerge at sunset, and the public is invited to view their spectacular flight from the tunnel.

10. Wisconsin - Tunnel #2, Wilton

Located along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, this tunnel once gave passage to 50 trains a day. Now, over 60,000 cyclists pass through each year. The entrance to the tunnel is flanked by two beautiful 20-foot doors, originally meant to keep snow from impeding train travel.

11. Massachusetts - Clinton Railroad Tunnel, Clinton

More than 4,000 bodies from nearby cemeteries were moved to make room for this quarter-mile tunnel. Originally constructed in the 19th century to service the Wachusett Dam, the tunnel was abandoned by the state in the early 1900s. Today, the tunnel is not open to the public and entering is considered trespassing.

12. Tennessee - Sensabaugh Tunnel, Kingston Springs

This eerie tunnel has been the rumored site of multiple deaths and is a popular destination for seekers of the paranormal. Most stories center around Ed Sensabaugh, the original owner of the tunnel in the 1920s. Some say his ghost, and perhaps that of his murdered young son, roam the dark of the tunnel.

13. Nebraska - The Belmont Tunnel, Dawes County

Located just outside of the near-ghost town of Belmont, this is actually the only tunnel in the entire state of Nebraska. Once an important railroad route, the Belmont Tunnel has been abandoned since the 1980s. Despite being over 120 years old, it is in remarkably fine condition.

14. Missouri - Rocheport Tunnel, Rocheport

Now part of the Katy biking trail, the Rocheport tunnel has been a source of some controversy. The limestone bluff into which the tunnel was carved was once covered in cave drawings and ancient pictographs. These were destroyed by dynamite during the tunnel's construction. The site was featured in Stephen King's film, "Sometimes They Come Back".

It's amazing how quickly these abandoned tunnels were forgotten. Are there any abandoned tunnels near you? Let us know in the comments. What are some of your favorite abandoned homes in the U.S.?  For more interesting and abandoned places in the United States to explore, visit some of these abandoned cities and towns.