Eroded badlands formations with layered tan, brown, white, and reddish rock rise in rugged slopes and cliffs, with sparse vegetation and distant hills beneath an overcast sky.

In this otherworldly landscape, the overcast skies intensify the vivid colors of the badlands at Hell’s Half Acre in Wyoming.


Nestled in the rugged heart of Natrona County, lies a landscape like nowhere else in the state of Wyoming. It is so bewilderingly alien that it could easily be mistaken for a slice of Mars dropped onto Earth. Hell's Half Acre, as it is ominously named, stretches across an expanse that belies its daunting moniker, sprawling far beyond its implied dimensions into a 320-acre scarp of jagged ravines and intricate rock formations.


The story of Hell's Half Acre begins millions of years ago, when it was created primarily by erosion and sculpted by the relentless forces of weather. Yet, despite its seemingly inhospitable terrain, this area harbors a rich tapestry of life and history. Native American tribes have long revered this land; tales of spirits and otherworldly beings are etched into its very essence. Meanwhile, pop culture has also cast its spotlight onto this eerie landscape — serving as an alien planet backdrop in the Hollywood film Starship Troopers. As we peel back the layers on Hell's Half Acre, prepare to embark on an exploration that defies expectations at every turn.



Native American History


A place steeped in history and culture, the Native Americans used Hell's Half Acres rugged cliffs and caverns as a Buffalo Jump. There's evidence they not only hunted bison but also elk, deer and antelope here.


This communal hunting method dates back as far as 12,000 years. Gathering together, the hunters steered the game toward a cliff, causing them to fall and incapacitate themselves by breaking their legs. Other tribe members already below quickly converged with their spears and bows to complete the hunt by killing the animals that survived the fall. Sites like these were called pishkun by the Indians, meaning roughly “deep blood kettle.”


According to American Indian lore, if they allowed the buffalo to escape, they would teach the remaining herds to steer clear of human hunters, making future hunts more challenging.


Layered badlands formations in shades of white, tan, red, and brown rise in eroded cliffs and ridges, with sparse vegetation on the valley floor and distant hills in the background.

Eroded badlands formations in layered white, tan, red, and brown rise in rugged cliffs and ridges, with sparse vegetation scattered across the valley floor and distant hills adding depth to the scene.


American History


Since then, the site has been mainly viewed as a curiosity. It attracted immigrants traveling the Oregon Trail and, later, visits from stagecoaches journeying the Overland Trail between Casper and Thermopolis.


In the summer of 1833, while on a trading expedition with the Shoshone Indians, Army Captain Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville, an esteemed explorer credited with charting parts of the Oregon Trail and extensive exploration of the American West, made his initial visit to Hell's Half Acre. During this journey, his expedition detected the smell of sulfur, which they realized was emanating from subterranean fires. Scientists later attributed the stench to ancient coal deposits that had been burning for years.


Although the name does not fully capture its profound cultural and historical importance, there are a couple of different stories about how the area was named. One suggests the site changed nomenclature when a cowhand stumbled upon it, mistaking it for Hell's Half Acre, a region located southwest of Casper, characterized by its alkali deposits and bogs. The alternative hypothesis suggests that the moniker originated from a marketing effort to attract visitors to the local attraction. Several names were tried in the quest for a catchy one, including Devil's Kitchen, the Pits of Hades, and the Baby Grand Canyon. However, this name inadvertently became its lasting identity due to an error on a postcard from the 1930s, which referred to it as Hell's Half Acre.


Starship Troopers


Colorful badlands formations with layered red, white, and tan rock rise in eroded cliffs and hoodoo-like shapes, with sparse vegetation scattered across the slopes.

Step into another world without leaving Earth. Hell’s Half Acre in Wyoming reveals a rugged, otherworldly terrain so striking that its eroded cliffs and hoodoos were used to portray the planet Klendathu in Starship Troopers.


With its rugged and unique landscape, Hell's Half Acre was an ideal location for the backdrop of the 1997 science fiction movie Starship Troopers, directed by Paul Verhoeven. This visually striking area offered a convincing stand-in for the fictional planet Klendathu, the setting of the film's central conflict.


The plot of Starship Troopers centers around Johnny Rico, portrayed by Casper Van Dien, and his journey through military ranks in a futuristic society embroiled in a fierce battle against hostile extraterrestrial creatures known as bugs. The story explores themes of citizenship, duty, and the cost of war.


The eerie terrain of Hell's Half Acre played a crucial role in bringing to life the alien world where much of the movie unfolds. Its vast, desolate landscapes were instrumental in conveying a sense of isolation. This backdrop amplified the suspense and tension inherent in the storyline, particularly during scenes involving sudden ambushes by the alien enemies.


Colorful badlands formations with layered red, orange, yellow, white, and gray rock rise in eroded cliffs and hoodoo-like shapes, with sparse vegetation on the upper slopes.

Colorful layers of red, orange, yellow, white, and gray rock shape eroded cliffs and hoodoo-like formations, with sparse vegetation clinging to the upper slopes.


By leveraging Hell's Half Acre’s natural scenery, Starship Troopers created an authentic and captivating extraterrestrial ambiance. This setting enriched the cinematic experience, enhancing the visual spectacle and emotional impact of the characters' struggles on Klendathu.


The film effectively utilized Hell's Half Acre’s topography to intensify scenes where characters faced ambushes from Arachnids emerging from all directions, using the area’s caves for surprise attacks. One notable scene involved an ambush at Whiskey base, demonstrating how the terrain’s complexity added depth to action sequences.


Following the movie production, access to this iconic location was restricted, leading to a decline in local tourism activities that once thrived around this unique geological feature.


Layered formations of white, pink, red, orange, and brown rock form rugged cliffs and ridges, with sparse vegetation scattered across the colorful badlands terrain.

Hell’s Half Acre served as the filming location for the planet Klendathu in Starship Troopers, where the cave formations were portrayed as the Bug Holes in the movie.


Know Before You Go


In 2005, the operators of a small hotel and restaurant vacated the property. Natrona County had difficulty finding new management for the site, so the buildings were demolished, and the park closed.


Fast forward to 2024, and a spark of optimism exists for revitalization. A collaborative effort involving the Natrona County Parks Department, Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative, and Visit Casper is underway to breathe new life into the park. Visit Casper envisions transforming Hell's Half Acre into a safe and preserved historical site that is an attractive destination for tours and public visits. Recognizing it as a valuable natural asset for the community, they aim to make it accessible for enjoyment. Initiatives are underway to secure funding for various improvements, such as renovating the parking lot, installing new fencing, upgrading picnic areas, sealing an old well, and adding restroom facilities.


The gate is open, and you can access the parking lot to view Hell's Half Acre from above. Hopefully, the county will soon get it completely reopened for public enjoyment. 


Getting There


Hells Half Acre is between Shoshone and Casper, Wyoming, on US-20/26.

GPS:  43.0479374 -107.092037


Not every image makes it into my blog. If you enjoyed the images in this article, please check out my Wyoming Collection for more images of the state, or visit my Gallery with over 3000 images of locations from around the United States.


Framed photograph of Wyoming’s Hell’s Half Acre badlands, showcasing layered red, orange, and white rock formations under a moody sky. This piece captures the rugged beauty of Wyoming’s high plains geology — a striking statement for rustic or modern interiors alike.

Bring the drama of Wyoming’s Hell’s Half Acre into your home with this richly detailed landscape photograph by Susan Rissi Tregoning. The image reveals millions of years of erosion in vivid layers of red, orange, and white sedimentary rock, set beneath sweeping clouds and distant mountains. Professionally matted with complementary earth tones and framed in natural wood, this artwork evokes the spirit of the American West — perfect for cabins, lodges, or collectors of geological and heritage landscapes.


Fine Art Prints are available for order as print only, framed art, canvas art, metal art, acrylic art, and wood art prints in various sizes. Home Decor and Gift Ideas include shower curtains, throw pillows, towels, totes, phone cases, t-shirts, puzzles, and more—Worldwide Shipping with a 30-day money-back guarantee.