By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
With its distinct desert landscape, spectacular sites and breathtaking views of its natural beauty Page, Arizona has become a popular destination for travelers. The city was initially founded in 1957 as a housing community for workers building the Glen Canyon Dam, however the area now attracts over 3 million visitors a year. The small Northern Arizona town offers endless adventures for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who wants to enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
Located just under two hours from Zion, a little over two hours from the South Rim Grand Canyon, two and a half hours from Bryce Canyon and three hours from the North Rim Grand Canyon, Page, Arizona is ideal for exploring America’s prized national parks as well as the stunning surrounding scenery and Navajo Nation Reservation.
RELATED: How to Travel in Rome on a Budget
Page should be added to everyone’s bucket list, so here’s some great information and travel tips to help plan your trip.
When to Go
The peak time for travelers to visit Page Arizona is during the summer months, but it is incredibly hot that time of year and busy with tourists. Late March or early April is nice and cooler, but avoid the spring break crowd if possible. Fall is also great too.
Must See Places
1. Horseshoe Bend
If there’s one thing you do in Page Arizona it should be Horseshoe Bend. It’s the iconic image that many associate with the Colorado River and it’s one of the most striking places you will ever see.
There’s a free parking lot you can park in, but arrive early because it fills up by mid afternoon. From there it’s about a 15 to 20 minute walk to the site. It’s not a challenging hike, but there’s no shade or place to get water so come prepared with proper gear.
There’s no bad view, but if you’re afraid of heights be wary because there are no guard rails. There are crowds of people, which can be nerve-wrecking, so be extremely cautious when approaching the edge.
Horseshoe Bend is free to enter and dogs are allowed, but please don’t take them in the heat of the day because it’s way too hot for them (I actually saw people do this, which was very upsetting.) There are porta potties, but no place to wash your hands so bring hand sanitizer. There’s no hiking trails, however there are beautiful rock formations to climb and see the unbelievable views. While it’s easy to spend an entire morning or afternoon here, I’d plan on staying at the site for at least a couple of hours to fully take it all in.
2. Lower Antelope Canyon
Even if you’ve never heard of the extraordinary slot canyons in Page Arizona, which are formed by the wear of water rushing through rocks, chances are you’ve seen photos of this legendary area.
In Page the most renowned ones are the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, which you can only access by guided tours since they’re on Navajo Nation territory. I took a tour with Dixie Ellis and loved it. My guide Tilford was personable and knowledgable and the canyon was so picturesque that it almost didn’t look real. The tour was $40, not including gratuity or the required $8 Navajo Nation fee, and I was able to book a reservation the day of.
Heather Newgen in Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
Lower Antelope Canyon Tips:
There’s a free parking lot to leave your car. There are porta potties and a bottle of hand sanitizer is strapped to a post near the front where you check in. Before the tour there will be a show with a Navajo local who does traditional tribal dances. Tips aren’t mandatory, but it’s a nice gesture. There is about a 10 minute walk to the canyon and there are
3. Upper Antelope Canyon
The majestic canyon is the becoming one of the most well-known photographed locations in the U.S. due to its layers of vibrant orange coloring, exquisite landscape of the famous beam of light that shines through the rock formations between 10:30am to 1:00pm.
The beam of light in the Upper Antelope Canyon
Photo by: Heather Newgen
For this tour you must book in advance due to its popularity. If you want to see the beam of light, it’s about $30 more since it’s considered “primetime.” I went with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours and paid $74.00, which included the $8.00 required Navajo Nation fee.
Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
Photo by: Heather Newgen
Upper Antelope Canyon Tips:
Make a reservation as soon as possible since this one sells out quickly, it’s very crowded so know that ahead of time, it’s a 15 minute drive to the slot canyon and depending on which vehicle you’re placed in, you could be in the back of a truck. The seats are comfortable and it’s almost completely covered, but you will still experience wind and dust kicking up in your face. In addition, the fumes can be overwhelming at times, but the it’s worth the small hassle. And just the like Lower Antelope Canyon tour, there will be a show with a Navajo local who does traditional tribal dances.
4. Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Not far from the Visitor Center in Page Arizona is a beautiful spot of the dam and great views of Lake Powell. Since I’m terrible at giving directions I won’t attempt to get you lost, but it’s easy to find. Stop by the Visitor Center for a map and information.
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook in Page, Arizona
Photo by: Heather Newgen
There’s a free parking lot and a few stairs to hike down, but nothing too difficult. It’s a great place to climb the rocks and watch the sunset.
5. Lake Powell
Whether you have a few days to rent a houseboat, an afternoon to sunbathe or just an hour to take awesome photos, Lake Powell is a must.
There are plenty of ways to experience Lake Powell, but if you have limited time you can take the scenic drive around the lake, which is what I did. Ask the Visitor Center where to turn for the route, but it’s $25 to enter.
6. Waterhole Canyon
If you want to save money and see a slot canyon that isn’t as crowed as the Upper and Lower Antelope canyons, try Waterhole. Since it’s also on Navajo land you will need a permit, which is $12 per person. You don’t need a guide, but there is some hiking and climbing on unstable ladders. That aside, you will get amazing photos and you won’t have to worry about mobs of people.
To get a permit head to the Navajo Parks and Recreation office near LeChee Chapter House in Page. GPS coordinates are 36° 51.51′ N, 111° 26.731′ West.
7. Rainbow Bridge National Monument
If you have the time do the five-hour boat ride to the Rainbow Bridge. You can only get there by boat, which tours run about $145, or hike, but it’s not recommended for beginners.
**Bonus Location
If you’re driving through Utah stop along the way to see the Grand Staircase–Escalante.
**Bonus Activity
Take a rafting tour of the Colorado River, which begins May 4th. I was in Page a month before the season started so I couldn’t go rafting, but I will next time.
Where to Eat
Since several Page Arizona locals I talked to said they love Fiesta Mexicana I had to try it and I’m happy I did. There were vegetarian options for myself and Fiesta Mexicana has the best margaritas.
It’s a colorful, cute family owned restaurant that’s easy to find. The service was great, the food was good and the portions are huge. So if you’re not that hungry share a plate with someone.
Another place to try in Page Arizona is Into the Grand, which is an interesting and fun dining experience. As you walk in guests are greeted by the owner Hoss who shakes everyone’s hand and introduces himself.
A singer is on stage belting out tunes from Fleetwood Mac, Dave Matthews Band and Elvis as you’re being seated and dinner from the limited menu, which consists of local traditional food, is promptly served.
The musician will play throughout dinner and afterwards there will be a performance by Navajo dancers who will talk about their culture and show the audience various traditional dances.
The price of the evening includes a $15.00 entertainment fee, which is added to the cost of your meal. So my chili was $28.00 total, but that included the fee, chips and salsa, navajo fried bread, dessert and tea and coffee. There’s also a full bar you can order from as well and drinks are pretty reasonable. I ordered a mojito and it was only $6.00.
There’s one dinner and show per night so reservations in advance are encouraged. Into the Grand opens at 7:00pm and it’s a good time for for families and any travelers who want to experience a unique night out.
Where to Stay
I did Airbnb, but there are several budget friendly hotels in Page Arizona. There’s also a Courtyard by Marriott or Hyatt if you want three star accommodations. I didn’t see anything more upscale than those options. In addition, you can camp at Lake Powell, rent a houseboat or stay at the Lake Powell Resorts & Marina.