New Jersey is full of urban legends and local lore, the story of the gateway to hell is one of the more popular. The Clifton drainage tunnel gained notoriety after being featured by the infamous publication, Weird New Jersey. It is a popular hangout for wayward youth, and trespassing is illegal. It’s probably not a place you’d want to explore anyway, shady characters frequent the area. Still, the legend is… legendary!
Entrance to the Gates of Hell.
YouTube/WeirdNJTV The tunnels were built to collect runoff from Weasel Brook during rainstorms, but for decades they’ve been surrounded by supernatural stories. You’ll find the area covered in graffiti, much of it symbols of Satan including 666 and the inverted pentagram.
Inside the Gates of Hell.
Youtube/TheUnknownCameraman Legends surrounding the spot include sightings of animal bones from sacrifices, strange whispers in the darkness, secret rooms, and, of course, an actual portal to hell. A popular legend involves a red-eyed spirit or demon that guards the entrance. Another involves a mysterious horn and rocks flying out from the tunnel with no known source. While that may or may not be true, it is definitely a dangerous place. It can flood very quickly, with disastrous consequences to visitors.
A narrow passageway.
YouTube/TheUnknownCameraman Considered a right of passage for young rebels, many who have visited claim they still have nightmares. The darkness is chilling, to be sure, and the stench is sickening. It’s most certainly a place I wouldn’t want to explore myself, but luckily, video footage is available from YouTube user, TheUnknownCameraman.
YouTube/WeirdNJTV
The tunnels were built to collect runoff from Weasel Brook during rainstorms, but for decades they’ve been surrounded by supernatural stories. You’ll find the area covered in graffiti, much of it symbols of Satan including 666 and the inverted pentagram.
Youtube/TheUnknownCameraman
Legends surrounding the spot include sightings of animal bones from sacrifices, strange whispers in the darkness, secret rooms, and, of course, an actual portal to hell. A popular legend involves a red-eyed spirit or demon that guards the entrance. Another involves a mysterious horn and rocks flying out from the tunnel with no known source. While that may or may not be true, it is definitely a dangerous place. It can flood very quickly, with disastrous consequences to visitors.
YouTube/TheUnknownCameraman
Considered a right of passage for young rebels, many who have visited claim they still have nightmares. The darkness is chilling, to be sure, and the stench is sickening. It’s most certainly a place I wouldn’t want to explore myself, but luckily, video footage is available from YouTube user, TheUnknownCameraman.
Even if the legends aren’t true, these tunnels have terrified New Jerseyans for decades. What legends have you heard about the Gateway to Hell? Have you ever been? For a bit more on the tunnels, check out this YouTube video from WeirdNJTV. For more information on urban legends in New Jersey, enjoy my previous post: These 16 Urban Legends In New Jersey Will Keep You Awake At Night.
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