White Pocket at a glance
White Pocket lies in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. The sandstone is banded in red and white. It is not visible from your vehicle. You have to park, then walk over sand and uneven sandstone.
This is an independent guide, not an official site. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lists no visitor fee for White Pocket, and an ordinary visit needs no permit. Do not mix it up with Coyote Buttes North or South, where permits are required.
Drive yourself or take a tour
Both work. The choice depends mostly on your vehicle and your experience with deep sand.
| Drive yourself | Guided day tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | 4x4 with high clearance, and sand-driving skills | Provided by the operator |
| Fees | No BLM visitor fee listed | From $229 for adults, $199 for children up to 14 (2026). Tax and BLM fees extra |
| Time | 2 to 2.5 hours each way plus time on site | About 9 hours, start at 8 a.m. |
| Included | – | Water and snacks. Lunch costs extra on long tours |
| If something goes wrong | You recover your own vehicle | The guide handles the driving and the sand |
If you book through a third-party site, one operator mentions a base gratuity of 15 percent. Check what the final price covers before you pay.
Our picks: White Pocket tours
A guided 4x4 group trip, a guided hike or a tour with your own picnic.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
White Pocket tour and hike
Water and coolers for your own food are included. Meals themselves are not, so bring your own.
Check availability →White Pocket hike from Kanab
A guide, transport from Kanab and water. Tips are not included, and the listing does not mention lunch.
Check availability →
Guided 4x4 group trip to White Pocket
A guided group drive in an off-road vehicle with an experienced guide. Food and drinks are not included.
Check availability →White Pocket and Vermilion Cliffs tours
Guided 4x4 day trips from Kanab to White Pocket and nearby areas, with live prices and availability.
The drive: deep sand and sharp rock
The BLM describes deep sand and sharp rock sections on the final approach. It requires a 4x4 with high clearance and warns that vehicles regularly get stuck. A standard SUV is not automatically suitable. If you lack the vehicle or the skills, the BLM recommends permitted guides.
The route leaves US 89 on House Rock Valley Road, then follows BLM routes 1017, 1087 and 1086. It is not a highway drive at any point. A BLM road report dated 16 October 2026 listed House Rock Valley Road as high-clearance 2WD, with muddy sections north of Wire Pass. Conditions change with the weather, so do not count on access after rain or in winter without checking first.
- Leave gates as you found them.
- Pack out all trash, including toilet paper.
- Bring water, food, enough fuel and a full-size spare tire.
- Do not drive this track without a suitable vehicle. A tour is the safer choice.
Before you set out
The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument has no paved roads and no visitor center of its own. Information is available in Kanab, at the Paria Contact Station and in St. George, so ask there about current conditions. House Rock Valley Road can become impassable when it is wet, and other sand roads in the monument need high clearance and four-wheel drive.
Allow a full day. With the drive of 2 to 2.5 hours each way, the walk on site and the return, you will not be back in Kanab quickly. Start early, fill the tank in town and tell someone where you are going. Outside the wilderness areas, dispersed camping on already used sites is allowed in the monument, but there are no facilities, so carry everything out.
Photography at White Pocket
Plan for time on foot over sand and uneven sandstone. Wear sturdy shoes and carry your gear in a pack, so both hands stay free.
Drones are a separate question. Do not assume that flying is allowed. Wilderness land borders the area, aviation rules apply and temporary closures can happen. Look up the current rules before you bring one.
If you also want South Coyote Buttes
South Coyote Buttes is a different area with its own rules. One local operator lists a day trip at $249 per person for about 10 hours (2026), starting at 8 a.m., or 6 a.m. in the hot months. Taxes and BLM fees are extra, and a South permit is required. Small children are not recommended. The permit system is explained on our The Wave page.
Nearby pages
More places around Kanab.
White Pocket: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for White Pocket?
No visitor permit is needed for an ordinary visit, and the BLM lists no fee. Coyote Buttes North and South are different areas and do need permits.
Can I get there in a regular SUV?
Not safely, in most cases. The BLM requires a 4x4 with high clearance because of deep sand and sharp rock, and vehicles get stuck regularly. A guided tour is the safer choice if you are unsure.
How far is White Pocket from Kanab?
A tour operator gives about 2 to 2.5 hours of driving each way. Add time on the track and at the rock, so a visit takes most of a day.
How much does a White Pocket tour cost?
One operator lists $229 for adults and $199 for children up to 14 in 2026, for about 9 hours. Tax and BLM fees are extra.
Is there a trail at White Pocket?
There is no developed trail. A path of about 100 yards (90 m) leads west from the parking area, and the rest is walking on sand and rock.
Can I fly a drone at White Pocket?
Do not assume so. Check the current rules for the wilderness, aviation law and any temporary closures first.