Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park is a national park in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, roughly 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. The terrain extends across red cliffs, volcanic rock formations, and deep gorges near Lake Naivasha.

European explorers named the park in 1883 after a narrow gorge that once served as a tributary to an ancient lake. The government declared the area a national park in 1984 to protect its geological features and wildlife.

The park takes its name from a narrow gorge that reminded early European travelers of a mythical gateway. Maasai herders move their livestock through certain zones, with goats and cattle grazing among acacia trees and wildlife.

Visitors can walk or cycle through the reserve, as predators are rare and trails remain mostly flat. The main gorge requires a guide and sturdy footwear, since rocks can become wet and slippery.

A geothermal station has used hot springs and geysers within the reserve to generate electricity since the early 1980s. Steam plumes rise among grassland and volcanic rock, reminding visitors of the region's tectonic activity.