White Rock is located in southeastern Los Alamos County and is bordered to the north and east by
Santa Fe; the eastern border follows the
Rio Grande through White Rock Canyon. The elevation of the White Rock townsite is , above the river elevation in the canyon. The CDP includes the neighborhood of Pajarito Acres, directly south of and at the same elevation as the White Rock townsite. The center of the town of Los Alamos is northwest of White Rock, via New Mexico State Roads
4 and
502. A gated entrance to
Los Alamos National Laboratory is on Pajarito Road, accessed directly from White Rock. According to the
United States Census Bureau, the White Rock CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.59%, are water.
White Rock Canyon Largely undeveloped White Rock Canyon, on the eastern edge of the community, provides a wilderness recreation area heavily used by residents of White Rock and
Santa Fe. The canyon was carved through
basalt and
tuff by the south-flowing
Rio Grande. The canyon runs from the
Otowi Suspension Bridge in the north and to
Cochiti Dam in the south, with many smaller tributary canyons such Los Alamos, Mortandad, Water, Ancho, Frijoles, and Capulin Canyon. White Rock is situated on a portion of the west side of the canyon along with
Bandelier National Monument, a section of
Los Alamos National Laboratory,
San Ildefonso Pueblo,
Cochiti Pueblo, and
Santa Fe National Forest. Across the river to the east rises the
Caja del Rio. For a few decades the
Chili Line, a narrow gauge railroad, ran on the east bank of the river as far south as the mouth of
Diablo Canyon; some day the
Rio Grande Trail may occupy the abandoned
right of way. Averaging deep, the canyon provides spectacular vistas, rugged terrain and home to rare plant species as well as endangered animal species. Along the rim of the canyon are many basalt cliffs that are used by
rock climbers.
White Rock Canyon Rim Trail •
Distance: one way •
Elevation: 6,300 to •
Elevation Change: •
Fitness Level: Easy •
Seasons: All seasons •
Trail Surface: Rocks and packed dirt •
Hazards: Cliffs, rattlesnakes
Blue Dot Trail The trailhead begins about 100 yards southwest of the overlook viewing platform, and is accessible from a small parking lot at the end of the last side road branching east off Overlook Road. Partway to the river a meadow lies on top of a large
Toreva block bench (a large piece of terrain which has moved downhill as a unit). At the midway point, the material underfoot changes from dark sharp
basaltic rocks to light rounded
granitic stones. The trail passes a large spring seeping from
scree as the trail nears the
Rio Grande. This water and water from the river are not safe to drink. •
Distance: one way •
Elevation: 5,450 to •
Elevation Change: •
Fitness Level: Strenuous, but short •
Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow •
Trail Surface: Rocky and steep trail •
Hazards: Cliffs, loose footing, swift river
Red Dot Trail This trail, also known as
Pajarito Springs Trail, is accessible from Piedra Loop in La Senda. Numerous
petroglyphs appear along the way, unseen by many hikers concentrating on their footing on this very steep and challenging trail. The rock drawings are varied in style, from
Kokopelli to abstract and geometric designs. The local
Tewa may have imported some designs from
Native Americans of the
Great Plains. The
Pajarito Springs are several in number and combine to form a small creek flowing into a pool via a small waterfall. The trail continues to the
Rio Grande. •
Distance: one way •
Elevation: 5,500 to •
Elevation Change: •
Fitness Level: Strenuous, but short •
Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow •
Trail Surface: Very rocky trail •
Hazards: Cliffs, loose footing, swift river
River Trail •
Distance: one way •
Elevation: 5,400 to •
Elevation Change: •
Fitness Level: Easy •
Skill Level: Sections of the trail require route-finding ability •
Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow •
Trail Surface: Sand, river cobbles and rocks •
Hazards: Swift river ==Demographics==