Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and challenging parks to visit in the entire Southwest. There are countless natural wonders to discover, but unfortunately, there are also numerous obstacles: extremely difficult permits to obtain, dusty and rugged roads accessible only by 4×4 vehicles, long and challenging trails to navigate under the scorching sun without landmarks…
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White Pocket: an unforgettable adventure in Arizona
In this article, we talk about White Pocket, a stunning remote area within the park that not only boasts natural beauty but also provides several significant advantages for organizational purposes.
Yes, maybe you’ll already know that Visiting Vermilion Cliffs is an adventure from every perspective. In the article just linked, you can get an idea of the main areas of this national monument: of course, The Wave takes the spotlight, one of the most famous and sought-after excursions in the West. The stunning sandstone wave hidden among the Coyote Buttes North is, however, truly difficult to see because you literally have to win the lottery: just over 60 permits are available each day, and given the enormous demand, obtaining a permit is very difficult, if not almost impossible.
Well, the other hidden treasure in Vermilion is White Pocket, and we can describe it as a possible answer for those disappointed by the lottery outcome. However, there is both good and bad news about it. Let’s see what it’s all about… but first, some information about the geology of this magical place.
White Pocket geology
Perhaps White Pocket may not match the unique charm of The Wave, but this remote location has a special allure that will captivate even the most discerning hiker. The rock formations here are primarily composed of sandstone and clay, a mineral combination that showcases a wide range of colors. The name “White Pocket” obviously reveals the dominant color in this basin (“pocket”): a white that contrasts and envelops the myriad shades of vibrant red typical of Vermilion’s sandstone rocks (orange, yellow, pink…).
Millions of years ago, the rock formations of White Pocket were dunes formed by sandstone deposits: geological processes of erosion and weathering over the millennia have created astonishing sculptures, walls with curious textures, petrified waves, hoodoos, pinnacles, knobs, natural arches, and much more. Today, White Pocket can offer an atmosphere reminiscent of Mars, somewhat like Dali’s paintings, something akin to the landscape of the nearby Toadstool Hoodoos, but much, much more diverse and fascinating overall (also due to the greater difficulty in reaching it).
White Pocket – All you need to know
Here is all the information you need for organizing the hike.
Do you need a permit to get to White Pocket?
Let’s start with the good news: unlike The Wave and the entire Coyote Buttes area, you don’t need a permit to explore White Pocket. Cool, right? Surely, this advantage will make you consider White Pocket as an alternative to The Wave. Furthermore, given how remote the area is, although no permit is required, you won’t find many people, allowing for a relatively quiet visit. Another advantage is that, unlike The Wave, there’s no need for a long hike to reach points of interest.
What do you need to get to White Pocket, Arizona?
You don’t need a permit: that’s good, isn’t it? However, you should also consider the main disadvantage, namely the road to get there. As we’ll see in the next paragraph, unfortunately, reaching White Pocket requires a 4×4 because the final stretch of dirt road is sandy and rough, necessitating a suitable vehicle and certain driving skills.
Useful advice
Moreover, it takes quite a bit of time to reach the area and explore it, so it’s not recommended to consider White Pocket as a stopover between destinations. You’ll need to try to depart early from Kanab or Page to avoid the hottest hours, keeping in mind that, in both cases, it takes more than 2 hours on rough roads to reach the parking area. In essence, visiting White Pocket could take up more than half a day.
How to get to White Pocket
The easiest answer would be “in the middle of the Arizona desert,” but that wouldn’t be very helpful. After all, there’s no specific address, and you won’t find a Visitor Center welcoming you near White Pocket. So, what you can do to locate this place on the map is to follow these Google Maps coordinates (36.955011, -111.893296) and start getting acquainted with the area. One thing is certain: to reach White Pocket, you’ll need to rely on your sense of direction and, above all, your GPS.
Directions to White Pocket
- How to get there from Kanab? White Pocket is accessible from the House Rock Valley Road (BLM 1065). To reach it, take Hwy 89 and head east for about 38 miles. After passing the small settlement of Jacob Lake, you’ll see the imposing cliffs of Vermilion Cliffs in the background. Drive to this point, which is essentially the south entrance of the protected area (a sign indicating the road name, BLM 1065, will assist you). From here, the dirt road begins, which you need to follow for approximately 9.5 miles until you reach a disused cattle fence (here). Turn right and drive for another 6 miles until you reach Pine Tree Pocket Ranch. From here, head north for another 9.5 miles to the parking area at White Pocket. But beware! While the road up to the ranch is dirt but potentially passable by a standard vehicle (if it hasn’t rained or snowed, and always at the driver’s risk and danger), a 4×4 is mandatory from this point forward! Do not underestimate this aspect! Due to the poor conditions of the dirt road, it takes about 40 minutes by car to cover this last challenging stretch. Along the way, you’ll encounter gates: you can open and pass through them, but be sure to close them behind you.
- How to get there from Page? The entrance to House Rock Valley Road is at this intersection with Hwy 89, approximately 35 miles west of Page. From here, the dirt road leads into the heart of the park. You’ll need to travel along the road for a total of 20 miles, reaching the cattle fence. Turn left here and follow the directions I provided above.
Below, a video that can help you understand the type of road you’ll need to take to reach the parking lot:
Map
How to Rent a 4×4
If you don’t have suitable transportation and still want to reach White Pocket without joining an organized tour, you can consider renting a 4×4 in Kanab or Page. Prices start at $250 for a one-day rental. Here are some agencies to contact in Page and Kanab:
- Page: Lake Powell Jeep Rentals, JeepBnB.
- Kanab: Roam Outdoor.
How to visit White Pocket
Once you reach the parking lot, most of the journey is done. Leave the car and follow the small trail on the dune beyond the fence where an informative sign is located. Keep in mind that there isn’t actually a specific itinerary to follow, so feel free to explore the area far and wide, using the parking lot as a reference point. However, I would like to give you some more specific advice:
- Start by looking for The Swirl, one of the most peculiar rocks in the area, both for its coloring and its strange undulating shape.
- Then, reach this area where the fractured white rocks seem to create a kind of large sandstone brain.
- Search for this small pool, which is an excellent spot for unique photos. There are, however, numerous others.
- Be captivated by areas where the contrast between the white and red rock formations is most evident. You can find “The Wave” effect almost anywhere, but the best points, in my opinion, are here, here, and here.
- Reach the top of the main “brain,” and you’ll find a beautiful vantage point over the area, from which you can also photograph two imposing variegated monoliths towards the west.
- At these coordinates, you’ll find an isolated pine tree among the rock formations. Not far away, you’ll find another one.
Scroll to see all the images
Safety Tips
Neither the hike nor the rock climbs are particularly challenging, but it is advisable to wear appropriate clothing and a pair of hiking shoes. Additionally, bring an ample supply of water and food, as there are no accommodations in the middle of Vermilion Cliffs, and it can get very hot. Of course, leave no trace of your visit: carry away your waste to preserve the wild beauty of the place.
How long should I spend at White Pocket?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you are photographer aiming to return with hundreds of photos, plan for a minimum of 3 hours to explore every corner of White Pocket. If you don’t have this specific need, you can allocate 1-2 hours depending on the available time and your desire to explore. As mentioned earlier, do not underestimate the time needed to reach the parking lot (more than 2 hours from Kanab or Page).
The weather in White Pocket
During the summer months, from June to September, expect high temperatures often exceeding 95°F. The long, sunny days provide ideal conditions for exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding canyons and gorges, but prepare yourself appropriately with suitable clothing and plenty of water. On the other hand, in the winter months, from December to February, temperatures can drop below freezing at night, with daytime highs ranging between 41°F to 59°F.
Places to sleep nearby
There are no hotels within Vermilion Cliffs or in the vicinity of White Pocket. As we mentioned, Kanab and Page are strategic towns for visiting in Utah and Arizona, but if you find accommodation in Jacob Lake, you can shorten the travel time to reach the parking area.
Alternative hikes to White Pocket, AZ
The landscape of White Pocket is almost unique, but some nearby places may vaguely resemble it. Besides, of course, The Wave, I’d like to point out:
Other sites near White Pocket
In addition to the famous The Wave, there are many other areas to explore within Vermilion Cliffs: read our article to discover them! Among these, we mention Paria Canyon, Coyote Buttes North and South and Buckskin Gulch.
Organized tours
Most likely, the majority of enthusiastic travelers looking to visit White Pocket won’t hesitate to dedicate time and energy to the visit. However, the requirement to use a 4×4 vehicle may discourage some: not everyone can rent such a vehicle, nor do they know how to drive it on particularly challenging paths. Moreover, navigating the roads of Vermilion is not straightforward, as clear signs and landmarks are often lacking.
The most suitable solution is to rely on a tour operator for various reasons:
- You will be transported to White Pocket safely in a 4×4 vehicle.
- You will have the opportunity to learn about the geological history of White Pocket and Vermilion Cliffs.
- The guide knows the route and will lead you directly to the best vantage points, showcasing the most fascinating rock formations and some hidden gems.
The tour on Getyourguide has a duration of about 7 hours, with at least 4 hours dedicated to the round trip. It includes:
- Pick-up from any hotel in Kanab or at the Paria Contact Station near Page.
- Round-trip transportation
- Presence of a guide throughout the activity
- Water bottle
