Surreal swirled sandstone that rivals The Wave — and no permit required.
While The Wave gives out 64 permits a day via lottery, White Pocket sits a few miles away and asks for nothing but a high-clearance 4WD and the nerves to drive 20 miles of deep sand. The reward is an alien landscape of brain-coral and pillow sandstone in pink, white, and gold.
Why it's special
It's the most photographed slickrock no one has heard of. No permit, no ranger, no shuttle — just you and a square mile of geological hallucination.
Best time to go
March–May and September–November.
Getting there
House Rock Valley Road from US-89A, then BLM 1017 across miles of soft sand. Do not attempt without 4WD low range.
Know before you go
- BLM dispersed, no fee, primitive only.
- The road is deep, soft sand — getting stuck is the norm for unprepared drivers.
- No cell, no water, no services for 25 miles.
- Stay on existing tracks; cryptobiotic soil takes a century to recover.
Pro tips from boondockers
- Air down to 18 psi before the sand sections.
- Camp at the small clearing near the trailhead, then walk the slickrock at golden hour.
- Bring twice the water you think you need.
- Check the Vermilion Cliffs NM website for current road status before committing.
Combine with
The Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Coyote Buttes North/South.