Wyoming is certainly not new to alien settings. One of the most undisputed symbols of science fiction film, the monolith in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, is located in this very state (see our article on Devils Tower). Today, however, we talk about 3 landscapes much less known that will delight those looking for amazingly natural, out of the ordinary landscapes, so unusual as to give the impression of having landed on another planet (not coincidentally, one of these was used for the filming of the movie Starship Troopers).
In these landscapes, the process of geological erosion has produced badlands of incredible colors and shapes: just as if you had just arrived in another world, your gaze, in search of the perfect photo, will wander among slopes, ravines, and hoodoos in surprising shades of color. Similar landscapes, with due differences, can be found at Badlands Park in South Dakota, but here the experience will seem much more remote, perhaps more like that of Coal Mine Canyon in Arizona or Painted Mines Park in Colorado. So let’s take a look at how to visit Gooseberry Badlands, Devil’s Kitchen, and Hell’s Half Acre.
Map of the 3 sites
Gooseberry Badlands, Painted Desert
Where it is and how to get there
Gooseberry Badlands, also known as the Painted Desert, is located in northern Wyoming, within the Bighorn Basin, an arid plateau from where the Bighorn Mountains rise up. It is located more or less halfway between the towns of Meeteetse and Worland (about 30 minutes by car). To get there, simply take Highway 431 and park in the small rest area you’ll find at these coordinates.
How to visit the site
The Gooseberry Badlands Scenic Overlook Trail begins from the parking area. It is a 1.5-mile trail with a 140-feet elevation gain, and is complete with information panels. The trail takes you through the entire valley, passing rock formations similar to giant mushrooms and other strange and bizarre hoodoos of various hues. As you read the panels, you’ll learn about the erosion processes that produced such a colorful result, marvel at how this area once enjoyed a tropical climate, and learn about the local wildlife (including rattlesnakes).
How to include it in an itinerary
You can pretty easily fit this stop into your itinerary if you’re traveling from Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore (or, say, traveling from Cody to Rapid City), thus crossing the Bighorn National Forest on the scenic Cloud Peak Skyway, which you can pick up in the town of Worland, 30 miles from Gooseberry Badlands. Of course, you can also include it if you travel the route in the opposite direction.
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Where to stay
The closest towns (though with few accommodations) are Worland and Meeteetse, but I also recommend checking out our tips on where to sleep in the Bighorn Mountains area, as there may be better strategic solutions for your itinerary, as well as more room availability.
Devil’s Kitchen
Where it is and how to get there
The 46-hectare area called Devil’s Kitchen is also located in northern Wyoming, within the Bighorn Basin, although further north, 8 miles from the town of Greybull. Reaching it is a bit more complicated and requires a drive on a dirt road, which is not recommended in rainy or wet weather. From US-14 take Davis Road, then turn left onto Big Horn County L33, and then turn left (coordinates) onto an unnamed road leading to the site.
How to visit the site
Don’t expect tourist services of any kind, Devil’s Kitchen is a totally unspoiled place. After parking your car, you will find yourself in front of an extraordinary panorama of impressive colors. You can move close to the ridge to admire it from various angles or even decide to go down to the bottom, but be careful as there are no marked trails and exploration is totally free.
How to include it in an itinerary
Like Gooseberry Badlands, Devil’s Kitchen can be incorporated into an itinerary that crosses the Bighorn National Forest from Yellowstone to the Black Hills, albeit by choosing a different scenic byway: no longer the US-16, Cloud Peak Skyway, but the US-14, Bighorn Scenic Byway. The detour will take you about 20 minutes as a round-trip, plus the time you spend visiting the site.
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Where to stay
The nearest town to find accommodation is Greybull, where there is also an interesting aeronautical museum (Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting). However, for reasons of accommodation availability and itinerary strategy, I would again recommend you read our tips on how to find accommodation in the Bighorn Mountains area.
Hell’s Half Acre
Where it is and how to get there
Hell’s Half Acre is a large 130-acre escarpment located 64 miles west of the town of Casper in east-central Wyoming. The area is a little better known than the previous 2 as it was used as the set for Planet Klendathu in Paul Verhoeven’s film Starship Troopers. Fans of the film can’t miss it. The discovery of bison fossils and arrowheads in this area led to evidence that some Indian tribes used the site to attract bison and then slaughter them. Hell’s Half Acre is easy to get to, as it is located on Highway 26, a 45-minute drive from Casper. Once you get there, you will need to turn left onto Hell’s Half Acre road, go through the gate and park your car.
How to visit the site
The site is not maintained, or equipped for sightseeing, it is more to be considered as a roadside attraction than a park to explore with trails. This is due, unfortunately, to the fence that surrounds it in its entirety, and that does not allow you to approach the edge of the escarpment, or even to descend to the bottom. The only thing you can do is to walk around the perimeter of the escarpment and observe the surreal landscape beyond the fence.
In principle, there are no guarantees as to whether or not the gate is open, however, all visitors who have passed through here tell of finding it open.
How to include it in an itinerary
Hell’s Half Acre is located in the heart of Wyoming, an area that can be easily crossed if you need to get from Denver, Colorado to Yellowstone Park. However, you will have to forego the slightly shorter route, the one through Laramie and Lander, in favor of the route through the towns of Cheyenne and Casper.
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Where to stay
The best town in terms of proximity and number of available accommodations is undoubtedly Casper, which among other things, boasts some interesting attractions including a nice historic downtown and museums dedicated to the west. Here is a list of all the accommodations in the city:
