Welcome to my article on White Pocket! This incredible destination is located inside Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Northern Arizona. It would easily be one of the most unique landscapes in the United States.
Before I tell you all about the amazing White Pocket in Arizona let me introduce myself. I’m Bettina. I was born and raised in Switzerland. I’ve had a strong passion for travel, adventures and exploration from a young age.
My parents took me all around the world when I was a youngster. I was lucky to visit beautiful places like Thailand during my school holidays. I fell in love with the Thai culture so much that I literally cried when I left. Ever since then, I’ve been wanting to explore more of the world.
A place that I stumbled upon recently was White Pocket, Arizona. Back in 2019, my boyfriend and I decided to quit our jobs and travel through North America and South America in our truck and pop-up camper.
On my quest to see more of the Southwest (USA) I found articles about White Pocket on Pinterest. I knew I had to go there. Driving up to White Pocket, Arizona the first thing that stands out is the unique rock formations in the middle of the desert. I remember it so vividly.
Three Epic Days in White Pocket, Arizona
I spent three days in White Pocket which is the perfect amount of time to explore the area. This little region of Vermilion Cliffs is accessible by 4×4 high clearance vehicles which you can leave in the dedicated parking area.
From the parking spot I was able to explore the entire area and wander around the rock formations. There are no restrictions on where you can go. This made exploring the unique sights even more interesting.
As I walked along the sandy trail towards the white rocks, it became apparent very quickly just how different this place was from anything else.
Extraordinary Landscape of White Pocket, Arizona
The first thing I noticed was the white pillow-shaped rocks which cover quite a big area. Once you climb over these smooth pillow rocks you start seeing a large variety of uniquely colored rocks – ranging from burnt orange to white.
White Pocket changes with every step you take. The more you explore the more the landscape takes on these fascinating shapes. I stumbled across areas which reminded me of ‘the Wave’ rock formation in Arizona – revealing layers of different colored sandstone along the ground.
Exploring White Pocket is a surreal yet calming experience. It would be hard for me to point to one specific place that I liked the best. Although, the white pillow-shaped rocks were pretty awesome to see. They would have to be one of my favourite parts. I’ll never forget the time I spent there.
White Pillow-Shaped Rocks & Geology
Visiting White Pocket is always a wonderful experience even if you are not into geology and don’t usually chase different rock formations.
There is so much variety in the sandstone covering the area. This makes it a fascinating visit. Climbing over the white pillow-shaped rocks is easy and a lot of fun. You certainly don’t need to be an avid hiker or have high levels of fitness to get around. The white rocks were definitely the highlight for me.
I did not expect to see such variety in sandstone formations as I drove up to the White Pocket area. It was when I first wandered across the nearest hill that I really started to appreciate the vast beauty of this place. There was hardly anyone else there. I truly enjoyed having the entire area to myself.
I was able to wander and climb wherever my eyes took me. Exploring without a care in the world and with no worries about bumping into other explorers or tourists. The fact that I got to discover a place so beautiful and yet so unknown made the whole experience incomparable.
Tips for your Visit to White Pocket, Arizona
The area around White Pocket is only accessible by high clearance 4×4 vehicles and there are no facilities, restaurants, hotels or any other sleeping accommodations. To make the most out of the trip, I would highly recommend traveling with a tent if you are planning to stay there longer.
Since the area is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land you can stay there for free. Camping in the area is peaceful as there is little to no traffic around. The only noise you might hear is a neighbouring cow. There’s something awesome about having a cow wake you up in the morning!
The road to White Pocket consists of deep sand and is impassable when it rains. Make sure you pack snacks and enough water for your trip. White Pocket is remote and you’ll need these supplies even if you are just visiting for one day. You might be stuck there for longer if it starts raining.
Furthermore, being an experienced off-road driver would help to get you there with less worries. My final piece of advice is to enjoy yourself. Explore as much as you can, climb that hill, hike that trail and take plenty of photos! You certainly won’t regret visiting this remarkable landscape in Arizona.
If you are interested in learning more about White Pocket or would like some ideas for your adventures in the American Southwest – make sure you check out this dedicated blog post on my website The Next Trip.
Thanks for reading and happy travels everyone!
