Upper Snake Field Office

Hell's Half Acre WSA

General Location 
About 10 miles west of Idaho Falls, Idaho

Natural Features 
Nearly ¾ of the 5,200-year-old Hell's Half Acre lava flow, an outstanding example of a single-event geologic feature fully exposed and preserved; resembles flat moonscape interrupted by deep crevices fissures ridges depressions.  44,000 acres of the area are designated a National Natural Landmark.

Lichens and mosses inhabit the barren lava surfaces with more diverse plant communities on the older lava surfaces and in kipukas areas.  Ferns in deep cracks are biologically anomolous. Kipukas and older lava flows contain dense juniper stands, shrubs, forbs and grasses. Mule deer, antelope, coyotes, rabbits, sage-grouse and mourning doves inhabit the lava flows and kipukas.

Total Acres 
66,200

Hell's Half Acre lava  Hell's Half Acre

 

 


Hell's Half Acre


 

Upper Snake Field Office  |  1405 Hollipark Drive  |  Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-524-7500  |  Fax: 208-524-7505  |  Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F