Roadside Attraction White Rocks
Skull Valley
Overview
|
Fri 93 | 59 |
Sat 92 | 63 |
Sun 93 | 61 |
Mon 96 | 62 |
Tue 96 | 65 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Fri 93 | 59 |
Sat 92 | 63 |
Sun 93 | 61 |
Mon 96 | 62 |
Tue 96 | 65 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
The main White Rocks formation
A few springs dot Skull Valley, but the valleys stark expanse has an imposing feel. When the ill-fated Donner party passed through Skull Valley in 1846, the valley was known by the much more welcoming Spring Valley. Today, while passing through on UT-196 at highway speed, Skull Valley may seem desolate and a place to be hurried past.
Skull Valley holds some gems in its expanse. White Rocks is one of those gems that is often overlooked. On the southwest end of the valley, near the base of the Cedar Mountains, White Rocks is a series of several granite outcroppings. These granite outcroppings are in contrast to the rest of the valley, and a great roadside stop. There are many excellent primitive camping sites that dot the area, and you are likely to find a space for solitude on all but the busiest weekends.
Sunrise at White Rocks
Getting There
White Rocks is near Dugway, UT. Most will reach this from I-80, about 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City.
Go west on I-80 from Salt Lake City to exit 77, signed Dugway / Iosepa. Go south off the highway on UT-196 for 29.5 miles to MP 7.4.
- Turn off UT-196 and reset your odometer. ( 12T 351813E 4466050N / 40°19'55"N 112°44'40"W )
- 5.5 miles from the highway, for left. ( 12T 342898E 4466226N / 40°19'54"N 112°50'58"W )
- 8.1 miles - White Rocks loop junction. The main formation is directly ahead. Going right around the formation requires high clearance. ( 12T 339044E 4465768N / 40°19'37"N 112°53'41"W )
Beautiful Granite!
Route
When approaching White Rocks, there are many excellent campsites on the south and west sides of the main rock formation. The north side requires high clearance.
Heading south to one of the smaller formations has generally more solitude, but not quite as good of views in my opinion.
Photos
Maps
| Turn off UT-196 and reset your odometer. |
12T 351812E 4466049N 40°19'55"N 112°44'40"W |
| 8.1 miles - White Rocks loop junction. The main formation is directly ahead. Going right around the formation requires high clearance. |
12T 339044E 4465767N 40°19'37"N 112°53'41"W |
| 5.5 miles from the highway, for left. |
12T 342898E 4466226N 40°19'54"N 112°50'58"W |