Hell's Half Acre (Wyoming)

Hell's Half Acre is a large scarp located about 40 miles (64 km) west of Casper, Wyoming on US 20/26.[2] Encompassing 320 acres (1.3 km2), this geologic oddity is composed of deep ravines, caves, rock formations and hard-packed eroded earth. Hell's Half Acre was used as the location for the fictional planet of Klendathu in the movie Starship Troopers.

For other uses, see Hell's Half Acre.
Hell's Half Acre
Southwest view from Hell's Half Acre summit
LocationNatrona County, Wyoming
Coordinates43°02′17″N 107°05′35″W
Area320 acres (1.3 km2)
Governing bodyNatrona County, Wyoming
Hell's Half Acre
Unincorporated community
CountryUnited States
StateWyoming
CountyNatrona
Elevation
6,033 ft (1,839 m)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MST)
GNIS feature ID1589476[1]

The location was known as "The Devil's Kitchen", "The Pits of Hades", and "The Baby Grand Canyon" until a cowhand appeared and thought he was at Hell's Half Acre, an area southwest of Casper full of alkali and bogs.

Native American tribes used the ravines to drive bison to their death during their hunts.

As of December 2005, the roadside restaurant and motel/campground sitting atop the ravine were closed. The motel and the abandoned restaurant have since been torn down.[3][4] The area is fenced off and there is no public access to the cliff edge nor the valley itself, but there is an interpretive sign west of the former restaurant. As of late July, 2018, the fencing was still in place, but two gates in the fence were open, allowing vehicular access to a large gravel lot (with potholes) and a closer view of the topography.

  • The sign on the restaurant formerly located at Hell's Half Acre.
  • A vertical formation just off the overlook.
  • A cave formation in Hell's Half Acre.
  • Commemorative sign marking Hell's Half Acre.

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hell's Half Acre (Wyoming)
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hell's Half Acre (Wyoming)
  3. Matteson, Cory (October 17, 2005). "Officials argue fate of Hell's Half Acre". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  4. "Hell's Half Acre, Powder River, Wyoming". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
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