Back to Hell's Half Acre Recreation Site

Lava Walks in Hell's Half Acre- Twenty Mile Trail

The Bureau of Land Management, Bonneville County, and the Idaho Alpine Club along with numberous other people have cooperated to open this area for lava hiking.  Hiking in lava fields is unique because of the rough terrain, ususual scenery, and the contorted landscape.  Since this is a Wilderness Study Area (WSA), permanent trails have not been developed.  The unimproved hiking routes are marked with poles.

Blue top poles mark a route around a short educational loop which is a good introduction to lava hiking.  The 0.5-mile loop takes about 30 minutes to walk.  On this loop note the pressure ridges, deep cracks with ferns at the bottom, and moss on rocks.

Red top poles mark a 4.5-mile route to the main vent or source of Hell's Half Acre lava flow.  A round trip to the vent will take a full day and should only by undertaken after adequate preparation has been made.  Water is essential and boots with good soles are advisable.  Estimated time to hike to the vent is 2-3.5 hours (one way).