One of Northern Arizona’s most unique landscapes can be found at the end of this off-road trail, White Pocket Arizona. If you have a high-clearance, 4×4 vehicle, White Pocket is a must-see destination in Arizona to experience the beauty of the desert landscape. Plus, given that White Pocket requires an off-road vehicle to access, its typically a quiet spot that photographers love!
What is White Pocket ?
Tim and I first learned about White Pocket from the Bureau of Land Management‘s Kanab Visitor Center. When trying to get permits for our Wave hike, this alternative trail was mentioned, and here is the brochure from their website. White Pocket is a slick rock area on public land surrounded by sand in northern Arizona.
Visitors can become stranded when driving out to get to this location if they are not familiar with the deep sand and are not using a 4×4 vehicle. Even with 4 wheel drive, vehicles can easily get stuck out there in the middle of the desert. The Bureau of Land Management recommends hiring a guide or company that offers visitors a safer option to get to this spot if you were
Please treat these geologic formations with respect. See the section below about ways you can respect this beautiful place.
Getting to White Pocket
via the Off-road Trail | Arizona
There are a couple of different directions you can take to get to White Pocket. For this trip below, we came from the north after our Utah trip. We had just visited Zion National Park and hiked Angels Landing and The Narrows. I highly recommend visiting those if you are in the area. Also, if you were trying to get a permit for the Wave, but missed out, White Pocket is a great alternative!
You will need a 4×4, high-clearance vehicle to get to White Pocket.
A majority of the off-road trail is flat, like this section in the video clip below. There are however some areas with steeper hills and deep sand. Check with the Kanab Visitors center for current trail conditions. We only had to use 4-wheel drive once during our visit but the landscape changes week to week based on weather.
Coming from the North
If you are driving in from the North, the off-road trail to White Pocket starts by taking HWY 89 to the northern end of House Rock Road. Then take this dirt road, House Rock Road, south for 20.2 miles to Pine Tree Road ( AKA BLM 1017). There is an old corral at this turn for reference. You turn left and head east on Pine Tree Road for 6.1 miles. Go through the gate, and close it behind you. Continue about 3.9 miles and it will begin to curve left. Keep driving for another 5.4 miles until you see the parking area.
In case we get stuck, I always bring my MaxTrax recovery boards with me. I also pack my Garmin GPS satellite phone. Be sure to always pack enough food and water just in case!
It took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there from House Rock Road and the HWY 89 turn off.
Coming from the South ( Map Below )
The off-road trail to White Pocket from the south starts at the HWY 89A and the southern end of House Rock Road as seen in the map below. Take this road all the way to the same corral mentioned in the directions above and follow the instructions from there.
Exploring White Pocket | Arizona
The Trailhead
White Pocket is part of the Coyote Buttes area, which also is home to the popular Wave. Unlike the Wave, you do not need a permit to access White Pocket.
Once you see the old wooden fence and the White Pocket Trailhead sign, you know you made it! From the parking lot, you can follow the sandy trail by foot for about a mile to the open area known as White Pocket. There is no defined trail once you reach the rock formations so you can explore freely.
The Landscape
White Pocket is covered in beautiful burnt orange and red rocks with caps of white stone. There is a handful of rock with names like The Swirl and the S Curve. And, just like the off-road trail, there is plenty of sand. Certainly challenging for a photographer when winds whip it up.
The rock formations at White Pocket make you feel like you’re on another planet. Twisting rocks and massive cauliflower-shaped formations cover the ground.
The White Pocket trail is dog friendly and our husky pup loved exploring all around the area with Tim and I.
We took this trip in November and the temperature was quite chilly. We only came across 4 or 5 groups of people while out here and everyone was very friendly. Some photographers do enjoy taking long exposure photos of the landscape and everyone was very respectful to not cross into their shots. Some shots take these professional photographers HOURS to capture and it is best to give people some privacy when in the same location.
The cool wind whipped across the landscape as we spent an hour or so walking around before the sun began to set. Clouds began to clear out and the sky opened up for a beautiful sunset over the Arizona desert.
Camping at White Pocket | Arizona
Many photographers visit White Pocket in search of capturing a stunning sunset and or night photo. It is not recommended to drive the sandy trails at night, so some camp overnight. Camping is permitted at the White Pocket Trailhead. Please pay close attention to fire restrictions and do not gather firewood from the area. Always opt for an existing fire ring, or better yet, a portable fire pit.
Respect the Land
Follow all Leave No Trace Seven Principles if you do camp here. I opt to car camp in the back of my truck. Don’t forget to pack out all your trash. This includes food leftovers, toilet paper, and even human waste! In short, bag your poo and your dog’s poo too!
Moreover, if you do visit here, keep this place as untouched as possible! Being able to enjoy off-road trails to places like White Pocket Arizona is truly a gift. Every visitor should respect this land and make sure it remains just as beautiful for future generations.
White Pocket is one of my favorites just because is really a place where you can explore around with no set trail and every angle you turn there is beautifully sculpted rock! It really is a perfect spot to visit if you’re looking for things to do when visiting Arizona.
Off-road Trail to White Pocket
Length: Dirt road is approx. a 52-mile drive roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate ( 4×4 & High Clearance Vehicle Required )
- No permits are needed to visit White Pocket Arizona.
- Directions from the North – Start at HWY 89 and House Rock Road. Head south for 20.2 miles to Pine Tree Road ( AKA BLM 1017). Turn left at the corral and drive for 6.1 miles to the gate. Continue 3.9 miles and it will begin to curve left and then continue for another 5.4 miles until you see the parking area.
- Directions from the South – Start at HWY 89A and House Rock Road. Head north to Pine Tree Road and turn right at the corral. Follow the directions above from that point.
- Pack out what you pack in! Don’t leave any trash behind and follow all Leave No Trace practices.
- Safety is your responsibility out on these trails. There is nothing but desert out here for hours in each direction. Make sure you have experience driving in deep sand and have a plan in case you get stuck. There can be little to no cell service in this area.
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