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All the United States Ohio Columbus Gates of Hell

Gates of Hell

The entrance to this sinisterly named tunnel hides behind a Tim Hortons.

Columbus, Ohio

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CAPTION
The entrance to the Gates of Hell.   Tim Perdue/used with permission
Inside the tunnel.   Scott Teresi/cc by-sa 2.0
Looking toward the exit of the Gates of Hell.   Scott Teresi/cc by-sa 2.0
  45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
  45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
  45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
Gates of hell 2022 by Naturaclaimed   Naturaclaimed / Atlas Obscura User
Gates of hell 2022 by Naturaclaimed   Naturaclaimed / Atlas Obscura User
Gates of hell 2022 by Naturaclaimed by Naturaclaimed   Naturaclaimed / Atlas Obscura User
The Blood Bowl has been modified to keep people out a bit. Big girders in the way and such, now.   Jamie Fellrath / Atlas Obscura User
Gates of hell 2022 by Naturaclaimed   Naturaclaimed / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance   x6949r78xr / Atlas Obscura User
  jDreams / Atlas Obscura User
  jDreams / Atlas Obscura User
  DevilJoe1979 / Atlas Obscura User
  kaylamlauter / Atlas Obscura User
  kaylamlauter / Atlas Obscura User
The Blood Bowl has been modified to keep people out a bit. Big girders in the way and such, now.   Jamie Fellrath / Atlas Obscura User
Gates of hell 2022 by Naturaclaimed   Naturaclaimed / Atlas Obscura User
  45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
  45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The portal to this sinisterly named tunnel is in the most unlikely location: behind a Tim Hortons in Ohio’s capital. The inside of the passage is covered in graffiti, which quickly disappears within the darkness.

The Gates of Hell (also called the Portal to Hell and the Blood Bowl) is a drainage tunnel under North High Street. Entering the tunnel, which requires you to step into the mouth of a graffiti monster, leads to a dank stretch of utter blackness.

The tunnel earned what may be its most disturbing nickname, the Blood Bowl, because of an urban legend about a skateboarder who died there in the 1980s. But it’s also possible that it may have gained this reputation partly because of the many skateboarders who’ve wiped out while trying to conquer its steep walls in the dark.

Though urban explorers do wander into the tunnel, it’s technically off limits to the public. It was built for a stream that goes from Glen Echo Park to the Olentangy River, but is mostly dry, except after rain. A cage-like structure near the entrance of the tunnel prevents large debris from being lodged inside.

Related Tags

Tunnels Underground Subterranean Sites Graffiti

Know Before You Go

The tunnel is technically off limits to the public. Entering or exploring the area is at your own risk. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Afjsdoiuqnnn

Edited By

erjeffery, Kerry Wolfe, DevilJoe1979, Jamie Fellrath...

  • erjeffery
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • DevilJoe1979
  • Jamie Fellrath
  • kaylamlauter
  • Naturaclaimed
  • jDreams
  • x6949r78xr
  • 45rpm
  • Mad Max Road Warrior

Published

July 11, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.ohioexploration.com/structures/bloodbowl-gatesofhell/
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/20632
  • http://www.weirdus.com/states/ohio/local_legends/gates_of_hell_columbus/index.php
  • http://www.forgottenoh.com/Drains/gates.html
  • https://www.univdistcol.com/h2k15.html
Gates of Hell
2754 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio
United States
40.018387, -83.011987
Get Directions

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