Contrary to its name, Hell's Half-Acre is a colossal, 320-acre canyon in Wyoming. The scarp is a geological anomaly and consists of outlandish rock formations, deep ravines, and trippy erosion patterns.There are several areas across the United States named "Hell's Half-Acre". One of the most famous namesakes is in Texas. Hell's Half-Acre in Fort Worth was a notorious red-light district in Old Wild West times. The district was characterized by lawlessness and violence. This makes Hell's Half-Acre a suitable name for the extraterrestrial canyon in Wyoming, which has captured the imaginations of many.
The History Behind Hell's Half-Acre (And Its Name)
Prior to its current label, the Wyoming canyon had many names, and almost all of them related to hell. "The Devil's Kitchen", "The Pits of Hades", and "The Baby Grand Canyon", were some of the names. The connection with death has lingered for centuries, and not only because the landscape is barren and eroded. Native Americans used the canyon for hunting big game. Much like the Spartans booted their enemies into Kaiadas, the pit of death, the Native Americans chased bison off the steep cliffs, killing them with minimal effort.
- Fact: The "Queen of Hell's Half-Acre" died in 1923, ending the royal bloodline of Native American chiefs who ruled the Wyoming tribes
In recent centuries, a confused traveling cowhand stumbled onto the canyon. He misestimated his location and assumed that the canyon was Hell's Half-Acre, an alkali bogland in southwest Wyoming. For whatever reason, the cowhand was influential enough that his mislabeling of the canyon was universally accepted. From then on, the cracked-earth scarp has been known as Hell's Half-Acre.
Hell's Half-Acre In Hollywood
Robert A. Heinlein's novel, Starship Troopers, is set on a terrifying desert planet called Klendathu, which is inhabited by a highly advanced alien race of arachnids. In the 1990s, when the film was being adapted for the big screen, finding an appropriately terrifying and otherworldly filming location was a challenge. Luckily, Hell's Half-Acre, a place of death, was sitting deserted and unused.
There are little caves dotting the jagged cliff faces that are actually inhabited by spiders and other creepy crawlies. The canyon was perfectly believable as the landscape of some faraway planet full of grotesque bugs. As a result, Starship Troopers (1997) was a hit. All of a sudden, millions of people from around the world witnessed the majestic Wyoming canyon, which, for all of history, had been a little-known secret.
The film's success sparked a modest tourism economy for sci-fi enthusiasts who wanted to visit Klendathu. There was a classic American roadside diner, motel, and campground on an overlooking cliff. The site of the establishments is known as Half-Mile, as it encompassed a small area of half a mile.
Hell's Half-Acre Ended Living Up To Its Name
Unfortunately, time went on, and the generation who watched Starship Troopers in theatres got old. Tourists gradually stopped coming to Hell's Half-Acre and by 2005, the restaurant and motel were shut down. Locals from nearby settlements argued over the fate of the half-mile. Was land to be utilized in some meaningful way? Some folks advocated for the construction of a learning center, which would stimulate the economy as well as provide a public service. Schools could take class trips to the canyon and road-tripping families could use it as a stopping point.
Despite the lively exercise in local democracy, Hell's Half-Acre was abandoned. The restaurant and motel were demolished and the site was fenced off.
Visiting Hell's Half-Acre
Today, there are a couple of openings in the fence that allow cars to enter on an old road that is full of potholes. The entrances are unofficial, so visitors should proceed at their own risk.
Once in Hell's Half-Acre, the possibilities are endless -- so long as visitors have the appropriate tools. Much like with the Grand Canyon, most visitors are content with viewing the Hell's Half-Acre from above. From an elevated perspective, the twisting, craggy rock formations glow in the sunlight and the distant cave openings act as canvasses for people to project their subconscious fears and desires on.
Depending on the point of access, descending into the canyon is tricky, and requires the necessary skills and protective equipment. visitors who plan on hiking or exploring the canyon should carry lots of water, warm clothes, paracord, and solid boots, among other things. There's no telling what one might find in the dark, icy crevices of Hell's Half-Acre.
- Note: There are no official trails, entrances, or facilities for hikers. Visitors may have to hop a rusty barbed-wire fence to enter the canyon.
How To Get To Hell's Half-Acre
The nearest town to the canyon is Casper, Wyoming, which is about 40 miles (65 km) away. As the second largest town in Wyoming, Casper has a bustling art and culinary scene, making it a great rest stop. Hell's Half-Acre is a great day trip from the town.
The canyon can be found along the US 20/26 highway. It's impossible to miss, and there's a sign commemorating the name.