Hell's Half Acre Lava Field

Hell's Half Acre Lava Field is a basaltic formation spread across the Snake River Plain with numerous volcanic features including tubes, cracks, and cinder deposits. The dark landscape reveals the raw power of past volcanic eruptions across its expansive terrain.

Fur traders gave this area its name in the early 19th century, while Benjamin Bonneville later documented the region during his expedition in 1833. The volcanic activity that shaped this landscape occurred thousands of years before European exploration.

The National Park Service designated the northwestern portion as a National Natural Landmark in 1976, recognizing its geological importance.

Visitors can explore the area using maintained trails managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Winter weather can make access challenging, so check local conditions before planning your visit.

The field contains ten circular pits and two large lava tubes near its summit, along with a depression from a previous lava lake. These features formed during different phases of volcanic activity, revealing how varied the underground lava flows and surface interactions were.