HELL’S HALF ACRE, WY — A distinctive swath of badlands roughly 40 miles west of Casper has reopened to the public after nearly two decades of limited access, offering updated visitor amenities intended to preserve the landscape while accommodating more people.
New facilities aim to make the site safer and more accessible
The site, commonly called Hell’s Half Acre, is a roughly 320-acre tract within a larger 960-acre parcel that was donated to Natrona County. After a four-year effort to improve infrastructure, the property now includes an ADA-accessible viewing platform, a boardwalk, interpretive signage and picnic areas, officials and tourism leaders said.
Those additions are intended to give visitors structured ways to experience the unusual terrain — a maze of steep ravines, striped badlands and wind-carved rock formations — while reducing erosion and other impacts from informal use.
- Size: 320-acre developed area within a 960-acre donated tract
- Improvements: ADA-accessible viewing platform, boardwalk, interpretive signage, picnic areas
- History: Long a roadside attraction; featured as a filming location for the 1997 movie "Starship Troopers"
For decades, travelers along the historic Yellowstone Highway stopped to see the site, buy souvenirs and stretch their legs. Although the area remained a curiosity even during the period of restricted access, the reopening this summer restores full visitor services and interpretation.
“Hell’s Half Acre is very aptly named,” said Annette Pitts, CEO of Visit Casper. “Driving there, you’ll go through very typical Wyoming landscapes that are not Jackson. Wide-open rolling prairie. And then you get to Hell’s Half Acre. Expansive geological features; it looks like the badlands with its bright colors and odd geological configurations that you really don’t see anywhere else.”
What the reopening means for local travel and conservation
The site’s renewed access comes as some travelers look for quieter, lesser-known destinations beyond Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Hell’s Half Acre offers an accessible roadside detour that can diversify visitor routes through central Wyoming and extend stays in Natrona County.
At the same time, the boardwalk and viewing platform reflect an effort to balance tourism with protection of fragile geological features. Interpretive signage aims to give visitors context about the land’s formation and history, helping manage expectations and reduce off-trail travel.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk | Limits foot traffic impact, protects formations |
| ADA viewing platform | Improves accessibility for visitors with mobility needs |
| Interpretive signage | Provides geological and historical context |
Local officials and tourism promoters say the reopening provides a way to showcase a very different landscape from the state’s mountainous western reaches. For residents and visitors alike, the site now offers formal amenities that were absent for years, potentially increasing its appeal as a stop between major destinations.
Access is available following the site's opening earlier this summer. Visitors planning a trip should use established paths and respect posted signage to help preserve the badlands and maintain safety.
