A twisted mound of sandstone the size of a two-story house immediately puts you in awe. Swirls of red, yellow, and white drape the sides of this otherworldly creation, and on top, mounds of white caprock form an overhanging crest, resembling cake frosting. As you contemplate the endless photograph opportunities and try to wrap your mind around this sight, another swirl of rock catches your eye, this one bright red and has its own name, the Dragon. Very remote and largely unknown until recent years, White Pocket is located just a little bit east of the more popular Wave rock formation near the Arizona and Utah border.
If you get tripped up wondering about how this land formation was created, you are not alone. Most desert areas offer a degree of consensus on the geologic origin of various colors and hues, shapes and sizes; but with White Pocket, the debate remains wide open and includes a variety of postulations—including the notion of “soft sediment deformation” versus a massive “sand slide” caused, in theory, by powerful volcanic activity.
Due to the prevalence of sandstone in the area—the type of sandstone that was heavily saturated during the Jurassic period—the soft-sediment theory concludes that the softer, more malleable rock was easily affected by weather conditions over time, resulting in twisting, circular formations and rich colors common in a candy store than in a rocky, arid desert. The more complicated theory of an enormous sand slide is harder to comprehend, asserting that heavy pockets of laminated sand and rock actually detached and fell rapidly downhill due to volcanic activity, forcing huge planes of earth to shift and contort in very unusual ways—all of which resulted in a variety of desert formations, numerous ponds and fertile areas, and an abundance of terrain not normally associated with planet Earth.
Scientists and geologic observers can only speculate on the true natural origins of White Pocket, but what I find most interesting is the fact that such an incredible site remained mostly unknown until just a couple years ago when National Geographic ran a special on this place. Since the publishing of those jaw-dropping photos in that article, word has been getting out pretty quickly, with this site popping up on more and more radar screens and bucket lists.
Access to this hidden marvel is very challenging and requires the use of a 4×4 vehicle, but, once you make it there, you will be richly rewarded. In addition to the difficult access, there are no real trails established in the area, which means you’re going to have more of a random wandering experience among the patches of pastel-colored rock. As a precaution, you’ll want to carry a GPS or compass, just in case you find yourself venturing off a little farther than anticipated. But regardless of the challenging access and the undefined trails, there are countless interesting formations at White Pocket to enjoy. One of the most famous of these is the Dragon, pictured below.
White Pocket wildlife
Due to various tablelands and small streams in the area, the terrain captures enough moisture to support a variety of wildlife, including eagles, falcons, and hawks, as well as larger land animals, such as mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns. Pronghorns, often called pronghorn antelope, aren’t true antelope, though they do share some characteristics with them. Pronghorns are highly curious animals and are known for their amazing speed, for both short and long distances. They can hit speeds as high as 55–60 mph for up to half a mile and can maintain speeds as high as 35 mph for over four miles.
Thought to be the second-fastest animal in the world, it’s believed that pronghorn developed this phenomenal speed by evolving to escape the now-extinct American cheetah. Though only inhabiting small regions in Arizona, these amazing mammals are found throughout the central-western United States; and their reddish-brown fur, white stripes across their necks, and stout backward-curving horns usually make them easily identifiable.
On a final note about visiting this place, some hikers and photographers talk about White Pocket being a “consolation prize” for those who can’t get lucky and make it to The Wave (talked more about below), but I’m not sure why. White Pocket is tons more otherworldly and, in many respects, even more interesting, so it seems to be anything but a consolation prize to me. And, please remember, the growing popularity of this park is all the more reason to take extra care to make sure that you don’t leave a trace. Do your best to avoid walking on the brittle terrain and vegetation, and stick to roaming around on the slick rock when possible.
Getting There (it’s a bit of a challenge)
There are several different routes one can take to get to White Pocket but all of them require a 4×4 and sometimes even a tire inflator so that you can safely navigate through this desolate area. Check the links below for details on how to get there and be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into as you head out to White Pocket. It’s a very desolate area and be aware that flashfloods during the late summer can make roads out here impassible. Safety should be your number one priority when planning the drive out to White Pocket.
Nearby Destinations
- Kanab, UT (75 miles; 2 hours 45 min)
- Antelope Canyon (75 miles; 3 hours 5 min)
- Grand Canyon North Rim (80 miles; 3 hours)
- Zion National Park (110 miles; 3 hours 30 min)
- Las Vegas, NV (259 miles; 5 hours 30 min)
- Petrified Forest national Park (271 miles; 5 hours 30 min)
Additional Resources
- zionnational-park.com/paria-white-pocket.htm
- squidoo.com/white-pocket-arizona
- synnatschke.de/wp/wpocket_e.html
- For more information: (435) 688-3200
Consider Visiting: The Wave
The Wave in Utah is often the primary destination for photographers looking to explore the (North) Coyote Buttes area. Often considered a natural wonder of the United States, The Wave is an area of Navajo sandstone (dating back to the Jurassic period) that was originally eroded by water and eventually winds until it became the work of natural art that it is today. The beautiful red and orange ridges and ribbing create a distinct look that has brought this location both national and international fame. It’s best seen midday when shadows are minimized, though the sun in the morning or late afternoon can produce quite striking shadows on The Wave.
In the past decade its popularity has really picked up, and now the high demand for access is making it incredibly difficult to secure a hiking permit. During the peak season there can be over 150 people applying for only 20 available permits. Ten permits are given out during a lottery that takes place four months in advance, and the other ten are issued during a lottery that takes place before the day that the visitor intends to hike. If you plan on visiting from March to November, you should expect your chances of obtaining a permit to be well below 50%.
That’s why visiting in December through February is recommended for those who aren’t lucky enough to land a permit. During these months, the odds of obtaining a hiking permit go way up. The downside is that, even though this is the desert, it can get a lot of snow, and temperatures can drop pretty low. Sometimes the snow can interfere with the look many photographers desire at The Wave, but, then again, if it’s your only opportunity to see The Wave and you can handle the cold, I think you’ll more than appreciate it.
One last word about The Wave is that it’s not exactly the easiest location to find. There are no marked trails, and, if there aren’t any other hikers in your line of vision, it can be quite difficult to navigate on your own. This is why it is highly recommended to only attempt this hike with your own trusted GPS device/compass or in the presence of an experienced hiker who knows the layout of the land and can assist you along the way with your hike. Note: upon receiving your permit, you will be issued a guide sheet by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).