THE PERFECT DAY IN PAGE, ARIZONA
How To Get TO PAGE
Page is a little under three hours driving from the Grand Canyon. It makes for a great day trip.
Best Time to Visit PAGE
Arizona gets HOT! The best time to visit is during winter or spring when temperatures are a little lower. Also, the nights are significantly cooler than the days, so make sure to pack some layers, no matter what season you visit.
Summer (June-August): mid 90s – 105 with nights in the 70s
Fall (September-November): 80s – 90s with nights in the low 60s
Winter (December-February): mid 60s – mid 70s with nights in the 40s
Spring (March-May): 80s – 90s with nights in the 60s
How Much Time Do You Need IN PAGE
One day in Page is perfect to see the two biggest highlights in the area – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. If you’d like to explore some additional nearby sites, I’d recommend adding on another day. Outside of the main sites, there isn’t TOO much to do and there aren’t that many food options if you wanted to dine out.
ANTELOPE CANYON
Is Antelope Canyon overpriced? You bet! But is it still worth doing? Absolutely! Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s paradise and is popular for a reason. You’ll walk through narrow passages, smooth sandstone walls, and see sunlight filtering through creating beams of light. You can tour either the Upper or Lower part of Antelope Canyon. The costs are pretty comparable, but there are some differences:
Upper Antelope Canyon is a bit more accessible. You will take a short bus ride from your tour operator’s check-in location, then walk right into the Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon receives more daylight.
Lower Antelope Canyon requires a bit more climbing. You’ll go up and down various ladders. Due to Lower Antelope Canyon receiving less light, different textures and tones will come out in photos.
Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon require reservations. You will need to book your spot (sometimes months) in advance.
Secret Canyon is another slot canyon in this area. While it used to be a cheaper, less crowded alternative to Antelope Canyon, it has since increased both in popularity and price. Personally, I think if you’re going to spend money to tour a slot canyon, Antelope Canyon is the way to go.
If you’re looking for a less popular, FREE slot canyon, check out Buckskin Gulch. It’s about an hour away from Page, but you’ll get the same slot canyon experience without the crowds or cost.
Visit horseshoe bend
Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped section of the Colorado River. From the parking lot, it’s about a 1 mile trail and will take 20-30 minutes to get to this epic viewpoint. On busy days, you’ll follow the crowd on the singular, well-work trail. It’s easy to spread out and get pictures without tons of people in them once you get to the site. It’s a very popular sunset location, so don’t expect to have it to yourself. If you’re visiting in summer, don’t forget to bring water and sunscreen – even though it’s a short distance, you’ll feel the heat quickly. If you visit in winter, you might see some traces of snow. You will need to pay $10 to park here.
hike Toadstool Hoodoos
Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Changes: Minimal
Time: 40 mins – 1 hour
This is a great, easy trail in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Walk to the end of the trail to see the Toadstool Hoodoos, which are essentially large rock formations that look like mushrooms or rock umbrellas. The trail also has a great combination of different colors – reds, whites, and browns – it kind of feels like you’re on the moon or in a different world. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset. It can be easy to lose the actual trail, but if you follow the worn out road or walk in the wash, you can pick it back up. Using AllTrails also helps.
visit lake powell
There are a couple different ways to experience Lake Powell, the two most popular being by boat or by hiking. Rent a boat and navigate the waters – you’ll be surrounded by rocky cliffs on both sides – pretty cool! It’s also a great place to waterski or kneeboard. We did a self-designed walk around the area. Also, keep in mind that different sections of Lake Powell can take hours to reach by car, even if it looks close by on a map.
Visit the Glen Canyon Dam
This impressive dam is an engineering marvel and offers stunning views of the Colorado River and Lake Powell. There’s a visitor center with exhibits on the dam’s history and construction, as well as a short trail you can walk to see the dam from above.
Dinner TIME!
Page, Arizona is a bit of a food desert. We ate at El Tapatio one night and enjoyed their large margaritas and the colorful environment.
NOT DONE TRAVELING?
Check out our guides of nearby areas:
Sedona
Phoenix
Monument Valley
Scottsdale
Havasupai
Grand Canyon