Hell's Half Acre Lava Walk - Hiking near Blackfoot, Idaho
Blackfoot,Idaho
43.55384400152, -112.441799628
25.6 miles N of Blackfoot, Idaho
GPS: 43°33'13.8"N 112°26'30.5"W
Maps | Directions
State: Idaho
Trail Length: 20.00 miles
Trail Type: Out & Back
Trails/Routes: 0.9 mi

Hike

The Lava Trails traverse the desert of the Snake River Plain through contorted landscapes created from multiple lava flows. These Hawaiian-type lava flows are associated with the stretching of the earth’s crust. Hell’s Half Acre lava flow erupted about 4,100 years ago and is 222 square miles or 162,000 acres. The lava flowed at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, had the consistency of molasses, and traveled at speeds up to 30 mph.Courtesy of blm.gov
Undeveloped trails offering scenic solitude; short 0.5 mile loop trail and a 4.5-mile trail to the main vent of the Hell’s Half Acre flow. Trails are primitive and marked with poles across lava. A fire ring and other amenities are located at the trailhead.Courtesy of blm.gov
Updated June 27, 2026

More Information

Hell’s Half Acre, Powder River, Wyoming

An alien planet landscape of ravines and rock spires, used as the “bug planet” Klendathu in the 1997 film Starship Troopers.

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/8451
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Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

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  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Blackfoot, Idaho

  1. Head northeast on N Broadway St toward W Idaho St (177 ft)
  2. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto W Idaho St (354 ft)
  3. Turn right onto NW Main St (0.1 mi)
  4. Turn right onto I-15BL S/W Bridge St (signs for I-15/I-15 BUS)
    Continue to follow I-15BL S
    (1.1 mi)
  5. Turn right to merge onto I-15 N/US-26 E toward Idaho Falls/Butte (20.5 mi)
  6. Take exit 113 toward W 65th S (0.2 mi)
  7. Turn left onto W 65th S (0.2 mi)
  8. Merge onto S 45th W (3.9 mi)
  9. Turn left onto US-20 W (16.8 mi)
  10. Turn left (190 ft)
  11. Turn left (0.2 mi)
  12. Turn left (331 ft)
or

Travel west from Idaho Falls on Highway 20 to mile maker 287. Continue 0.3 miles until reaching a sign noting "Lava Trail". Turn south onto the gravel road and continue one-quarter mile to the trailhead.Courtesy of blm.gov

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Guest Review/Comments

/5
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5/26/20 11:45 am
Great warm up hike for the season
Reply

jssouthworth

12/27/17 10:16 pm 6/9/17
We love to hike here! My kids and I always have fun. It's mostly lava rock like you'd see at craters of the moon, but this is free and "off trail." Bring water and wear layers. There is an outhouse, a fire pit, and a picnic area near the parking lot. Make sure you sign the guestbook!
Reply 1

4jessicashea

5/11/17 12:04 am 5/7/17
My kids and I take our dog and spend hours here. It's close to home and never the same experience.
Reply 1
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hells half acre with the drone and my long lost br by Joe Ross
Lava Hike Idaho Falls -MVOC by Raya Steele

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