Apologies, I’m in the middle of updating this post to add additional information and places to see. Sorry for any confusion.
Glen Canyon - Hanging Garden Viewpoint
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Planning a Vacation in Page, Arizona
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path vacation with beautiful hikes, adventure, and minimal crowds, Page, AZ, might have what you are been dreaming about. Nearby are stunning slot canyons, hoodoos, arches, places to swim, kayak, and rent house boats, and areas accessible only with 4x4 vehicles. Page sits just north of where the Grand Canyon officially begins, as determined by the National Park Service, next to a dammed-up portion of the Colorado River, which forms Lake Powell.
Where is Page, Arizona?
The reason Page remains a quiet town despite some incredible features is that it takes some considerable driving effort to get to it. Below is a map showing where Page is located, as well as cities with international airports, and other National Parks, any of which could be combined into a larger road trip.
Map of Page, nearby large cities with airports, and other National Parks that may be part of a larger road trip that includes Page.
Situated on the northern edge of Arizona, Page is a 4-hour drive from Las Vegas, 4.5 hours from Phoenix, and 5.75 hours from Salt Lake City. A road trip to Page can be combined with several National Parks, though, making it well worth the effort to drive there. Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce National Parks, as well as Monument Valley Tribal Park are all with 3 hours or less from Page. Escalante is about 3.5 hours from Page. Capitol Reef, Arches, and the Needles portion of Canyonlands are 4.5 hours away, while the Island in the Sky portion of Canyonlands is a 5-hour drive. (Note that I’ve been to the Grand Canyon several times as well, but the only post I have written to date is hiking Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, and I still need to create a guide for easier hikes and viewpoints in the park).
I have one other place flagged on this map, and that’s Kanab, Utah, a really small town - even smaller than Page. The distance between Page and Kanab is 75 minutes. Kanab is located close to Zion National Park. For someone that wants to spend a few days hiking in Zion, and is interested in seeing say Antelope Canyon, putting a toe in Lake Powell or just taking its picture, and maybe hiking Toadstool Hoodoos and / or Buckskin Gulch, maybe even taking a tour of White Pocket, I would actually recommend staying in Kanab and just do one or two day trips over towards the Page area. (Packing up hotel rooms, especially trying to do so with younger kids, is not fun… especially when you have to do it multiple times during a road trip.) Toadstool, Buckskin Gulch, and White Pocket are located mid-way between Page and Kanab. There really isn’t a need to switch hotels. However, Page is a little more modern than Kanab - the hotels are bit newer and nicer, and there are more restaurants (both chain and local) in Page when compared to Kanab. But it’s too far to drive to Zion for a day trip from Page, more than once.
Lodging and Logistics
Despite being a smaller town, Page has several hotels and rentable homes. There are a couple of campgrounds, but note that it gets above 100 deg F in the summer months, which might make for a miserable camping experience. A unique option (that we’ve talked about several times but haven’t yet tried) is to rent a houseboat on Lake Powell.
Weather is one of the main considerations when travelling to Page. Summer months are hot - in the triple digits. Swimming, kayaking, or hiking in a canyon through water (ex. Buckskin Gulch) are perfect ideas. Long desert hikes are not the best summer options. In the winter it does get below freezing, but highs are often in the 40s or 50s. We’ve stayed in Page twice, both in March, and it was fantastic weather - not hot or cold. We were also in Kanab in June and hiked through Buckskin. This was a great summer hike as the water crossings can be pretty deep. But start hiking early in the morning as the first 1.4 miles are completely exposed in the sun.
One other consideration is how many nights to stay in Page. Excluding houseboat rental (which could be fun to do for water-lovers for an extended period of time), I would say 2-3 nights would be enough for most people. The first day would probably just be driving to Page, then hit an Antelope Canyon Tour, the dam and visitor center, and New Wave or Hanging Gardens. The next day check out Horseshoe Bend and as you leave, stop at Toadstool Hoodoos. For those that like longer hikes or want to book a 4x4 tour, spend that third night and do a full day hiking Buckskin or reserve a tour to see White Pocket.
Things to Do In or Near Page, Arizona
In the map below, I have hyperlinks so you can jump to different sections within the post. At the end of each section there is a link back to the map. Simply reading the post top to bottom is also an option. I also have links to separate posts that I’ve written, with more information about each place to visit
1 - Antelope Canyon / Rattlesnake Canyon - Antelope Canyon and Rattlesnake Canyon are slot canyons that require purchasing a ticket and using a tour guide. The hikes are relatively easy, although some tours require steps or use of a ladder. Tickets are expensive, but this slot canyon is incredible.
2 - Horseshoe Bend - The hike out-and-back to Horseshoe Bend is a relatively easy trail, but there is no shade. Additionally, the trail out descends the entire way, making the trek back to the car more difficult. Bring extra water.
3 - Glen Canyon Dam - There is a visitor center right next to the Glen Canyon Dam with a short video explaining its construction. From the visitor center, it’s a short walk to the dam, and there is a pedestrian bridge for better viewing.
4 - Lake Powell (Wahweap Marina) (including a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge) - Swimming, renting a kayak for a few hours, renting a houseboat for a few days, and / or taking a boat tour (including an option of a longer trek all the way out to Rainbow Bridge water-level permitting) are all options to play in and around Lake Powell
5 - Hanging Gardens / The Chains - The trail to Hanging Gardens is about a mile out-and-back with an option to go to a viewing area for Lake Powell. The view of Lake Powell is the reason to do this hike! The Chains has a trailhead right next to Hanging Gardens. There is an option to swim at this trailhead or just explore along the slick rock.
6 - New Wave - There is a 1.2-mile loop hike at New Wave, right next to the Glen Canyon Visitor Center. This is on my list of future places to visit when I return to Page.
7 - Toadstool Hoodoos - The hike out-and-back to Toadstool Hoodoos is about 1.8 miles long, depending on how far one explores the hoodoos. There is minimal elevation change, parking is right off of the highway. This trail does not have shade. Bring extra water.
8 - Buckskin Gulch (Wire Pass Trailhead) - The most common trailhead for Buckskin Gulch, the longest known hikeable slot canyon in the world, is Wire Pass. There is a permit (but there are no limits for the number of day-use permits, so they can be purchased on the day of the hike). It’s 1.7 miles to reach Buckskin Gulch from the Wire Pass trailhead. Once in Buckskin Gulch, the slot canyon stretches for 20 miles to White House (for a through hike option) or 46 miles to Lee’s Ferry (also as a through hike).
9 - Lee’s Ferry - Lee’s Ferry signals the start of Grand Canyon National Park. The access point to the Colorado River can be reached by car. This is a starting point for kayaking upstream (floating down) or whitewater rafting. This is the exit point of a complete through hike of the Buckskin Gulch Canyon.
10 - White Pocket - White Pocket is an easy 2 mile-ish hike in an incredible, otherworldly landscape. To access White Pocket, a 4x4 vehicle is required, as well as knowledge for driving in deep sand. Tours to White Pocket are options for those of us without 4x4 vehicles or who don’t know how to drive in sand.
11 - Moqui Sand Caves (also known as Kanab Sand Caves) - This is a short hike (little less than a mile out-and-back) with a very steep and somewhat sketchy sandstone hill to climb to get to a manmade cave. The best time for pictures is late in the afternoon.
12 - Belly of the Dragon - Belly of the Dragon is an amazing manmade water culvert under US-89 that is being carved slowly into a slot canyon by the water moving through the sandstone. Roundtrip trail is 0.25 miles.
13 - Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon - Peekaboo is a short, beautiful, and easy 1.0 mile out-and-back slot canyon near Kanab (not to be confused with the Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Escalante). This canyon does require an off-road vehicle to get to the trailhead. Vehicles can be rented in Kanab, or ask a tour guide to take you there.
14 - Reflection Canyon - Reflection Canyon is a “wish list” hike for me that I’ve included as it’s part of Lake Powell. It’s accessed however from the north side, near Escalante, down the slightly treacherous Hole-in-the-Rock Road. This is an 18-20 mile out-and-back hike. It is also possible to reach the canyon by water, from Lake Powell, and scramble up the canyon wall.
15 - Zion National Park - The east entrance of Zion National Park is not quite 2 hours from Page. Note that most visitors want to go to the west side of the park, which requires an additional 30-minute drive. For anyone wanting to spend more than one day in Zion, switch lodging to St. George, Springdale, or Kanab.
16 - Monument Valley Tribal Park - Monument Valley is about 2 hours from Page. This is worthy of a day-trip from Page. Or consider switching lodging. There is a hotel just across the road from the park entrance.
17 - Grand Canyon - It’s about 2.5 hours to the South Rim Visitor Center. I’d recommend switching lodging and staying in Grand Canyon Village to fully experience the Grand Canyon.
1 - Antelope Canyon / Rattlesnake Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a tight slot canyon with incredible colors and rock shapes that play with your imagination. It’s one of the most beautiful places I have found myself in. Because Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, when it rains, flash floods can occur within the canyon. On Aug 12, 1997, eleven hikers were killed in a flash flood within Antelope Canyon. As a result of this, to ensure future hiker safety while within this Tribal Park, the only way to get into this canyon is on a guided tour.
The guided tours a bit pricey, however the tour guides will help set up your camera with proper settings to help you get the best possible pictures, and that alone I thought made the price worth it. That, and the canyon is just simply incredible.
The tours are not very big, and this is a popular activity in Page, so consider booking your tickets ahead of time.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Where is Antelope Canyon / Rattlesnake Canyon?
Antelope Canyon is located just to the east of Page, Arizona. There are different starting locations based off of which tour you pick, so pay attention to the information on your ticket. Lower Antelope Canyon tours start within walking distance to the canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon tours start within the city of Page and include a van ride out to the trailhead. There is a third section of Antelope Canyon referred to as “Rattlesnake Canyon”. These tours have a start location off of AZ-98 and also involve a van ride to the trailhead.
Antelope Canyon Tours
There are two tour options for Lower Antelope Canyon. Ken’s Tours can be purchased at: https://lowerantelope.com/. Dixie Ellis Tours can be purchased at: https://www.antelope-canyon-tours.com/. The buildings are close to each other, and to get to the canyon from either, it is just a short walk. The tours seem comparable. Both last 45-60 minutes with about a mile of walking. To get in and out of Lower Antelope Canyon, use of steps with railings is required. We booked through Ken’s Tours. Our guide was great!
Tickets for Upper Antelope Canyon can be purchased at: https://www.antelopecanyon.com/. This tour is operated from a building in the main city of Page. This is where you park, and a van takes tourists out to the trailhead. Because of the added van ride, tours last 90 minutes. The walking distance is similar to Lower Antelope Canyon, but the entry in and out of the canyon is from the ground (no stairs required). The walk outside of the canyon after the tour is longer though and involves walking up a hill.
Tickets for Rattlesnake Canyon can be purchased at: Rattlesnake Canyon Tour - Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. This tour is operated from a building just east of the Lower Antelope Canyon entrance, along AZ-98. This tour also involves the use of a van to get to the trailhead. There are ladders required along this tour. I can’t find any information on their website indicating how long the hike through Rattlesnake Canyon is.
Lower Antelope Canyon
More Information on Antelope Canyon / Rattlesnake Canyon Tours
For more information on the logistics of visiting Antelope Canyon, including additional pictures and more information on the tour options, refer to my post on Antelope Canyon.
2 - Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is an iconic viewpoint along the Colorado River. Not officially part of the Grand Canyon National Park (which does not start until slightly south at Lee’s Ferry), Horseshoe Bend is actually part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. That does not mean its view is any less worthy than those within the National Park boundaries.
Where is Horseshoe Bend?
Horseshoe Bend is about 15 minutes south of Page, directly accessible off of US-89.
Hiking at Horseshoe Bend
The trail down to the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint is relatively easy, with a nice wide path, mild elevation change, and only being 1.5 miles-out-and-back. However, there is no shade along the trail, and it’s going to be a steady incline to get back to your vehicle. Make sure to bring water and consider hiking when the temp is cooler and the sun is not at peak intensity.
More Information About Horseshoe Bend
For more information regarding the logistics of visiting Horseshoe Bend, please see my post on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. I have the link set to the section within the post that’s about Horseshoe Bend.
3) Glen Canyon Dam & Visitor Center
Glen Canyon Visitor Center - Junior Ranger Pledge
Where is the Glen Canyon Dam & Visitor Center?
The Carl Hayden Visitor Center for the Glen Canyon Dam is located just off of US-89, on the west-side of the Colorado River (before the bridge that takes you into the main part of Page). Parking at the visitor center is free.
What can you do at the Glen Canyon Dam?
There is a short movie in the visitor that explains how and why the Glen Canyon Dam was constructed. Then you can walk from the visitor center over the bridge and look down onto the dam. For anyone interested in working on Junior Ranger badges, there are two opportunities - for both Glen Canyon as well as Rainbow Bridge. It took us less than 30 minutes to complete both. Rainbow Bridge is accessible from Lake Powell (depending on water levels) but note that this is a full-day boat ride, which might be hard for squirrely younger children.
More Information on the Glen Canyon Dam & Visitor Center
There’s not really more information than what I have above, but this same information is also with my post on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (linked to the section on the dam and visitor center)
4 - Lake Powell - Boat Rental, Tours, Swimming & Wahweap Marina
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a flooded canyon, created by the Glen Canyon dam. Its primary purpose is water regulation to the lower states (Arizona, Nevada, and California) and to ensure that the Colorado River water is not overused by the upper states (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico). The resulting lake is more than 161,000 acres with 1,900 miles of shoreline, and a max water depth of 583ft.
Where is the Wahweap Marina?
The Wahweap Marina is on the west side of the Colorado River, about a 15-minute drive from the middle of Page. From US-89, turn onto Lakeshore Dr / Wahweap Blvd.
The Wahweap Marina is within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, therefore, there is a vehicle fee. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, parking is free.
Where to Swim on Lake Powell?
The Wahweap Marina has boat launches, boat rentals, boat tours, and a swimming beach. In addition to the Wahweap Swim Beach, the Chains (see below) is another location to get into the water.
Where to Rent Boats on Lake Powell?
Kayaks and houseboats can be rented at the Wahweap Marina. The best place to kayak, however, is into Antelope Canyon. Check out the Antelope Point Marina for kayak rentals.
What Boat Tours are Available on Lake Powell?
Lake Powell - Antelope Canyon
Boat Tours are provided by Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas: https://www.lakepowell.com/things-to-do/boat-tours/. You can make reservations through this site.
To get to the boat tour launch, park in the main lot for the Lake Powell Resort (hotel). Go inside the main building of the resort and there will be a desk where the boat tours take off from.
We did the Canyon Adventure Tour, which was 2.5 hours long. My boys were 6 and 10 years old when we did this boat ride, and if I were to do this again, we would have booked the shorter 1.5-hour Antelope Canyon Tour. We all enjoyed being on the water surrounded by the impressive canyon walls, but 2.5 hours was a long time for the boys to sit.
There is also an option to take a full day boat tour out to Rainbow Bridge (water-level permitting).
Lake Powell
Where is Rainbow Bridge? How do you get there?
As long as the Lake Powell water levels are deep enough, sign up for the full day boat tour (see the link above, it’s the same company). The boat will start at the Wahweap Marina and travel out to a boat access / dock near Rainbow Bridge.
From the boat dock, it’s approximately a 2 mile out-and-back hike. I haven’t had a chance to do this hike yet - my kids weren’t old enough to sit happily on a boat for that long.
More Information on Lake Powell
For more information on Lake Powell, things to do, additional logistics, and more pictures, visit my post on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (linked to the section on Lake Powell).
5 - Hanging Gardens & The Chains
Hanging Gardens Hike
Where are the Trailheads for Hanging Gardens and the Chains?
The trailhead to Hanging Gardens is just a short drive off of US-89, on the east side of the Colorado River, just 5 minutes north of Page. To get to the Chains, don’t go back to US-89. Stay on the side road. The drive is just a few minutes from Hanging Gardens. Any car will be able to drive along this road.
Hiking at Hanging Gardens
The trail to Hanging Gardens is 0.6 miles-out-and-back with minimal change in elevation. The Hanging Gardens are interesting, but the reason to hike out here is to see views of Lake Powell. Take the spur up to the Viewpoint - which is a little bit just like walking up slickrock rather than a formal trail. It adds about 0.4 miles to the hike.
Hanging Gardens Hike - Viewpoint
Hiking & Swimming at the Chains
Glen Canyon - The Chains
We didn’t try swimming here; we just explored the Chains area by foot. It was just my boys and I while we were here watching the sun set. They had so much energy from sitting still on the boat tour that I just let them run up and down the hills hear, while I sat on the rocks, enjoying the sun, watching them.
Glen Canyon - The Chains
For More Information on Hanging Gardens & The Chains
For more information on Lake Powell, things to do, additional logistics, and more pictures, visit my post on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (linked to the section on the Hanging Gardens.
6 - New Wave
Where is New Wave?
Being honest, in 2019, I tried to find the New Wave, thought I was there, and I’ve since realized I found the Chains…. (see above). Although twice since 2019, we’ve been near Page, we haven’t gone through the city at the right time of day to go hiking. But I have the map of where to find the New Wave provided below. It’s on the west side of the Colorado River, near the turn-off of US-89 to Wahweap Marina.
7 - Toadstool Hoodoos
For anyone visiting Page, the Toadstool Hoodoos should have the same priority to visit as Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. This is a free, easily accessible trailhead, and easy hike. Just make sure to bring extra water with you and hike in the morning if you are visiting in the summer months.
Where are the Toadstool Hoodoos?
The trailhead to the Toadstool Hoodoos is approximately 30 minutes west of Page and is located directly off of US-89. This trailhead is also close to the turn-off point from US-89 for Buckskin Gulch.
Hiking at the Toadstool Hoodoos
The trail out-and-back to the Toadstool Hoodoos is about 1.8 miles long with an elevation gain of just 100ft. I say “about” as you might want to explore the hoodoo area further than we did. This is an easy hike to some amazing rock formations!
More Information on the Toadstool Hoodoos
For more information on hiking to the hoodoos, including a trail map and additional pictures, see my post on the Toadstool Hoodoos.
8 - Buckskin Gulch (Wire Pass Trailhead)
Where is Buckskin Gulch?
Hiking at Buckskin Gulch
More Information on Buckskin Gulch
For more information, including a trail map and additional pictures, here is my post on Buckskin Gulch.
10 - White Pocket
Where is White Pocket?
Getting to White Pocket
Hiking at White Pocket
More Information on White Pocket
For more information and logistics on visiting, as well as additional pictures, here is my post on White Pocket.
11 - Moqui Sand Caves (also known as Kanab Sand Caves)
Where are the Moqui (Kanab) Sand Caves?
Hiking at the Moqui (Kanab) Sand Caves
This is a short hike (little less than a mile out-and-back) with a very steep and somewhat sketchy sandstone hill to climb to get to a manmade cave. The best time for pictures is late in the afternoon.
More Information on the Moqui (Kanab) Sand Caves
For more information on the hike and additional pictures, here is my post on the Moqui (Kanab) Sand Caves.
12 - Belly of the Dragon
Belly of the Dragon is a cool place to stop for hikers of all ages. There’s a little cave that has been formed through the rock under US-89.
What is Belly of the Dragon?
Where is Belly of the Dragon?
More Information on Belly of the Dragon
For more pictures and additional information, here is my post on Belly of the Dragon.
13 - Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon
Peekaboo is a short and beautiful slot canyon near Kanab (not to be confused with the Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Escalante). This canyon requires an off-road vehicle to get to the trailhead. The off-road pullout from US-89 to Peekaboo Slot Canyon is a 15-minute drive southeast of Kanab’s Sand Caves.
Where is Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon?
Hiking at Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon
More Information on Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon
For more information on the canyon, additional pictures, and ideas on how to get there, see my post on Kanab’s Peekaboo Canyon.
14 - Reflection Canyon
Where is Reflection Canyon?
Hiking at Reflection Canyon
More Information on other hikes in Escalante, Utah
15 - Zion National Park
Where is Zion National Park?
More Information for Visiting Zion National Park
16 - Monument Valley Tribal Park
Where is Monument Valley Tribal Park
More Information for Visiting Monument Vally Tribal Park
17 - Grand Canyon National Park
Where Grand Canyon National Park
More Information on Grand Canyon National Park
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