The White Stripe Cavern ~ Page Arizona

Type of Hike : Out & Back if going only to the White Stripe ~ Loop if you do the mesa

Length: ~ 2 wheel drive parking to the White Stripe = .35 miles one way (.7 round trip)

~ 2 Wheel Drive Parking mesa loop hike = 1.6 miles total car to car.

~ 4×4 Parking to the White Stripe only = .25 total

~ 4×4 Parking mesa loop hike = 1 mile

Difficulty:  White Stripe only = Easy ~ White Stripe Mesa Loop – Easy/Moderate

Terrain: Deep Sand, Slick Rock. If you do the loop it requires steep slick rock walking

Elevation Gain: 100

Dog Friendly: Yes

Park Pass/Permit Required: No

Directions to the Trailhead

The White Stripe Mesa is located south of Highway 98 within the city limits of Page Arizona. This mesa is bordered on it’s south eastern flank by Page Steel and is private property. The White Stripe Cavern can be found within the largest in-cut cleft on the western side of the mesa.

!CAUTION! The vast majority of the road shoulder on Highway 98 is extremely soft sand and a 2WD vehicle will get stuck. There is a paved pull out at mile marker 296.5 on the north side of the road that is the best option for parking.

If you have a 4×4 vehicle there are a couple of two track roads off of Highway 98 at mile marker 296.3 to 296.7 that will get you to the base of the mesa.

The White Stripe Mesa Hiking Description ~ Page Arizona

The White Stripe is an elegant, wind-sculpted cavern that looks as if it were painted by Pablo Picasso himself. This hidden geologic wonder lies tucked within a mesa at the southern edge of Page, Arizona, just minutes from world-famous landmarks like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Encircling nearly the entire mesa, the White Stripe was formed through a rare natural process: slightly acidic water dissolved the pink iron coating within the sandstone, leaving behind a brilliant band of color that stretches almost 360°around the circumference of the mesa.

The mesa holds more treasures beyond the White Stripe. At its crown, you’ll find the Echo Eye, a small arch perfectly framing the Echo Peaks and Vermilion Cliffs. Several other smaller arches adorn the rim, while at the southern tip lies the Ripples, a wave-like expanse of striated sandstone.

Wildlife is just as much a part of this landscape as the stone itself. Gray and red foxes roam the mesa, while Great Horned Owls lurk in the caves and Peregrine Falcons patrol the skies above. Adding a striking contrast to the natural beauty, the rusted metal rows of steel sit neatly organized at its eastern edge, creating a scene with a unique high-dynamic range of textures and perspectives.

This hike can be approached in two ways

Two Wheel Drive ~ Park on highway 98 and walk .3 miles to the mesa/cavern through soft sand. There are a couple of two track roads that lead to the base of the mesa where the White Stripe Cavern is housed in a deep cleft in the mesa wall. Be very cautious about where you park along the highway because most of the shoulder is composed of extremely soft sand and you will definitely get stuck. There is a nice paved pull out at mile post 296.5 that is the best place to start your hike.

Four Wheel Drive ~ There are a couple of dirt roads that head south off of 98 and make there way to the base of the mesa. After visiting the White Stripe Area there are a plethora of other roads that criss cross the area and are blast to explore. Big Five Slot Canyon is just a short drive away and is well worth a visit.

Getting to the Top of the Mesa

There are two main routes that will get you to the top of this mesa.

The first is a set of Moqui Steps carved directly into the sandstone. You’ll find them on the northwest wall of the White Stripe Cavern, right at its mouth. If you watched the YouTube video above, that’s me climbing this section. It’s steep and can feel a little intimidating if you’re not used to the slick sandstone or if heights aren’t your thing, but to put it in perspective, my dog handles it both up and down without any trouble.

If the Moqui Steps aren’t for you, don’t worry, there’s a second option. Just around the corner from the cavern, heading south, is an easier way up. It’s still somewhat steep, but if you follow the natural ledges and contour the slickrock from right to left, the ascent feels pretty casual. It’s secure, straightforward, and far less committing.