Hell's Half Acre

Fifty-six miles east of Shoshoni, between the rest area along US-20/26 and Powder River, is Hell's Half Acre. The sign says this scenic area is closed (the parking lot is blocked off), but this doesn't prevent people from stopping and taking pictures. While we were there, we saw a steady stream of cars stop and the passengers get out and go around the fence to view this beautiful area.

Before the restaurant and other buildings were demolished, this is what it looked like. The article states that part of the movie, Starship Troopers (1997) was filmed at this site. Here is a satellite image of what the park looked like before the buildings were torn down.

Here is what the sign below states:

HELL'S HALF ACRE

This unique setting of natural beauty covers approximately 320 acres. Viewed from a point of maximum depth, its walls and pinnacles show soft and varied hues comparable to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Investigation has confirmed that in former days the Indians drove great herds of buffalo into this depression for slaughter. Flint arrowheads and buffalo bones have been found here. A detachment of Captain B.L.E. Bonneville's party visited this site in July 1833. This area has been dedicated to Natrona county by the Federal Government.

Click on any of the photographs to enlarge them.

link: index to photographs