White Rock Canyon Trail

White Rock Canyon Trail is a 6.5-mile out-and-back from the shared White Rock Canyon Trailhead to the Colorado River and back. The National Park Service calls it strenuous, lists 885 feet of elevation change and estimates four to eight hours. It follows an unmaintained, normally dry desert wash, so the rough footing makes this a slower outing than the mileage suggests.

The route meanders through a canyon that alternately narrows and widens before opening at the river. The wash itself is the way: expect soft sand, gravel, rocks and boulders, along with steep grades and rock ledges that require climbing over. Some scrambling is part of the hike. You descend toward the Colorado, then retrace the same line uphill.

The Colorado River is the payoff at the end of the canyon. For a photo, include the wash in the foreground where the canyon opens toward the water; that shows how the route arrives at the river. A separate 5.69-mile Arizona Hot Springs loop combines White Rock Trail with Arizona Hot Springs Trail and uses a 20-foot ladder between them. The ladder is an optional connection, not required for this river out-and-back.

The canyon's rock is mainly volcanic material and ash, with granite boulders carried down from the Black Mountains. Desert plants listed for the area include indigo bush, ground cherry, rabbit brush, Mormon tea, desert fir, cheesebush, globemallow and rock nettle.

Park at the shared trailhead area just off U.S. 93 before milepost 4, south of Hoover Dam; park admission applies. There is no drinking water at the trailhead. The NPS lists pit toilets along the Colorado River, about 200 yards downstream of Arizona Hot Springs. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet.

The NPS closes this strenuous trail annually from May 15 through September 30. Additional heat or flash-flood closures can occur outside those dates, so check current alerts before setting out.