Discover Quehanna’s Nuclear Jet Bunkers That You Never Knew Existed

Discover Quehanna’s Nuclear Jet Bunkers That You Never Knew Existed

Hidden deep in the forests of central Pennsylvania, the Quehanna Nuclear Jet Bunkers are two mysterious Cold War-era sites that once housed experimental nuclear-powered aircraft. Visiting the area offers a mix of history, adventure, and a glimpse into one of the more unusual chapters of American history.

Coordinates: 41.234754, -78.199839

Category: Abandoned/Weird History

Directions and Info

The Quehanna Nuclear Jet Bunkers are located in the lower part of Cameron County, accessible off of Quehanna highway. To access the bunkers, visitors must park along the road, then hike the rest of the way along the abandoned road.

Parking for the southern bunker is located at 41.234754, -78.199839. The northern bunker can be accessed by parking at 41.237064, -78.203572. Each road to the bunker is easily identifiable with a gate blocking the road. The southern bunker entrance sits just across the road from a stone with the number 5 on it.

Always use caution and visit at your own risk as this property is not maintained or monitored for safety conditions. There are no safety facilities, cell service is limited, and the bunkers themselves can be hazardous if accessed improperly.

Entrance and parking spot for the southern bunker

History

Built in the 1950s, these bunkers were part of the Atoms for Peace program designed to develop and expand the use of nuclear energy. The primary objective was to create aircraft capable of flying indefinitely without the need for refueling, a concept that would have revolutionized military aviation. To facilitate this, Curtiss-Wright was offered 80 acres to conduct experiments. Two bunkers were constructed for testing as well as a nuclear reactor in a separate part of the property.

Atoms for Peace commemorative stamp

However, by 1960, the ambitious project was terminated due to various challenges, including technical difficulties and safety concerns. The bunkers were abandoned, and the area was eventually returned to the state, becoming part of the Quehanna Wild Area. The reactor existed until the 2000s, when it was decontaminated and destroyed. Today, these abandoned bunkers serve as the only reminder of this Cold War-era experimentation.

1958 aerial photo of the site

Accessing the Southern Bunker

After parking your car at 41.234754, -78.199839, make your way down the abandoned road to view the southern bunker. The hike to the southern bunker is about 1/4 of a mile one way.

The road leading to the southern bunker

At the end of the road, the forest opens up to a large open area. Within this area, a hill covered in trees and vegetation stands out. This is actually the southern bunker. On the side facing the main road, a small path leads to an opening of the bunker.

The southern bunker

The entrance is small and explorers must crawl in order to gain access. A small wooden platform has been built to allow visitors to peak inside. The walls are covered in graffiti and some may not be suitable for younger audiences.

The path that leads to the small entrance to the southern bunker

Around the outside of the bunker, what remains are some remnants of concrete and metal. Large concrete blocks and metal fragments make explorers wonder what each piece would have been used for.

Large concrete blocks abandoned in the woods

Accessing the Northern Bunker

The northern bunker is much more visible and more easily accessible. After parking at 41.237064, -78.203572, make your way down the nearly 1/2-mile abandoned road to view the northern bunker.

The road leading to the northern bunker

Much like the southern bunker, the end of the road opens up, but this time, the bunker is much more visible. A small path off the road leads to the entrance of the bunker. Explorers can gain access through the metal door on the side of the bunker.

The entrance to the northern bunker

Inside the northern bunker, a large wooded structure takes up part of the space. This is an abandoned bat roosting box. When the area was returned to the state, the state tried to make each bunker into bat habitats. This is why the southern bunker has been turned into a hill. This was to make the habitat look more natural for bats.

The walls are also covered in graffiti, and you can actually view metal vents that still exist embedded within the walls. The small observation windows that scientists would have looked through are much more prevalent in this bunker.

Vents and windows from the inside of the northern bunker

Outside the bunker, a large piece of concrete holds a piece of metal that would have been the engine mount. Scientists would have strapped the engine to this, then stayed in the bunker during testing.

What remains of the jet engine mount outside the bunker

Final Thoughts

While some say that the U.S. government did more than test nuclear jet engines here, the site remains a unique and forgotten story of the Cold War. The site offers a simple and flat hike, with the bonus of forgotten history. The quiet Quehanna forest offers the perfect backdrop to this once secret-site.

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to share the article and checkout these nearby places that you may enjoy!

© All Rights Reserved