Established Camping
Hell's Half Acre
About
County
Hell's Half Acre - a geological masterpiece.
To those who have not experienced Hell's Half Acre, the name would suggest a small parcel of land, when in fact, the half acre encompasses more than 300 acres in the middle of the Wyoming prairie, flanked by mountains and valleys. Over fifty million years ago, the Earth was shifting and wreaking havoc. Left behind the restless movements of aging Earth were depressions and breaks in the land.
Hell's Half Acre is one such eternal depression, complete with jutting rocks, chilling caves and vast valleys.
Explorers to the West were no doubt in awe of of this rare and exciting landform. Who would expect such an out-of-this-world geological event amidst formidable mountains and alkali marshes?
Why "Hell's Half Acre" then? History says that this geological masterpiece 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. How could he not tell the difference between bogs and a 300 acre canyon, no one knows. He called it Hell's Half Acre and the name stuck. It's been the world famous Hell's Half Acre ever since, but no matter the name, label, or title you give this landmark, it is a truly fascinating and utterly breathtaking formation in the middle of desolate country.
The landscape is so alien that part of the movie "Starship Troopers" was filmed in this local. Hell's Half Acre was the backdrop for the alien planet Klendathu inhabited by gargantuan, vicious, fighting war bugs.
There are many stories haunting the hills and lurking in the shadows. The ghost of a beautiful young Indian woman moves freely through the canyons, protecting the area and warding off evil. The spirits of tens of thousands of buffalo who perished by plummeting off cliffs now roam the deserted range. It is rumored that a mysterious, dark, unsocial figure lurks inside one of the many dark and labyrinth-type caves. This eerie shadow has been seen by many a weary traveler along Wyoming Highway 20/26, leaving them with the impression that 'something' is there.
President Coolidge can be credited with granting Natrona County the 960 acres encompassing Hell's Half Acre to designate this part located 40 miles northwest of Casper on Highway 20/26. [Information courtesy of article in Radio Active Magazine, October 2003]
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
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Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Boondocking spot. No actual sites or bathrooms.
We stayed here overnight in our truck camper (July 2023). This spot is basically a large fenced in gravel parking area right off U.S. Highway 26. No bathroom or official sites at this location, just an open lot. Only one other person camping with their trailer, otherwise it was very quiet. We were a little worried we would receive the dreaded knock, but had no issues. Should be good for an overnight bivy if needed.
All fenced off
could not get to it
An amazing area
You can't actually camp at Hell's Half Acre but less than a mile down the road is wild life refuge with dispersed primitive camping with a vault toilet, picnic table on the river, no water but this is such an amazing area and the night sky is star filled.
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Location
Hell's Half Acre is located in Wyoming
Coordinates
43.038017 N
107.1106248 W