Roadside Attraction Cedar Pocket Sinkhole

Cedar Pocket

Overview

( Rated 3.0 / 1 Ratings )

2 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Roadside Attraction

LENGTH: 1+ hours

Wed

101 | 82

Thu

99 | 83

Fri

97 | 82

Sat

101 | 81

Sun

102 | 81

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SEASON: Any, hot in summers.

WATER: None.

Wed

101 | 82

Thu

99 | 83

Fri

97 | 82

Sat

101 | 81

Sun

102 | 81

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roadside

dog friendly

family friendly

access: 2wd

Diane descending to the bottom of the sinkhole.

Not far from the main Cedar Pocket road that connects I-15 to AZ-91 is a large sinkhole. Being a bit off the main dirt road and on a small hill, I passed this sinkhole a few times over the years before finally visiting. We weren’t disappointed, it is massive in both diameter and depth!

Unlike many sinkholes, Cedar Pocket Sinkhole has a collapsed side allowing for adventurous souls to descend to the bottom of the sinkhole. This is a short side trip that I thought was very worthwhile when passing through the area. The sinkhole was created when gypsum underground was dissolved by ground water. This created instability, and when water levels dropped, the ground collapsed creating the sinkhole.

Naming Note: Cedar Pocket Sinkhole is also often referred to as the Beaver Dam Sinkhole for the nearby town.

Warning: Visiting the bottom of the sinkhole is down a very steep, loose dirt slope. Not recommended for beginners. Be very careful if attempting to visit the bottom!

Jeep for scale of the size of the sinkhole!

Getting There

Note: The road is generally pretty good. High clearance helps, but a carefully driven car should make it as well.

Alternate Route Note: If coming from the west, The Cedar Pocket Road joins AZ-91 about 5 miles north of Littlefield. Coming from AZ-91 is less and better dirt road, but also less scenic than making the drive from I-15.

The trailhead is off the Cedar Pockets road in the Virgin River Gorge. This is exit 18 from I-15 about 17 miles west of St. George or 20 miles east of Mesquite NV. This is the same exit for the Virgin River Gorge Campground,

Reset your odometer on the north side of the freeway and head north of the dirt Cedar Pocket Road. There are a few primitive campsites next to the road a short distance from the freeway. ( 12S 250884E 4093502N / 36°57'17"N 113°47'52"W )
1.6 miles - Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead on the right. ( 12S 250867E 4095450N / 36°58'20"N 113°47'55"W )
1.8 miles - Ghost Rider Canyon on the right. ( 12S 250887E 4095635N / 36°58'26"N 113°47'55"W )
1.88 miles - Jct - go right passing through a fence in a short distance. ( 12S 250802E 4095688N / 36°58'28"N 113°47'58"W )
6.5 miles - Sinkhole Side road on the right. (3.2 miles if coming from the AZ-91 to the west) ( 12S 244472E 4095465N / 36°58'14"N 113°52'14"W )
Sinkhole Side Road - 0.4 miles - Sinkhole ( 12S 244191E 4095747N / 36°58'23"N 113°52'25"W )
9.7 miles - Junction with AZ-91 ( 12S 239928E 4095121N / 36°57'59"N 113°55'17"W )