What to Do in Page, Arizona

For all of the beautiful sights surrounding it, Page is still a bit of a sleepy tourist town on the border of Utah and Arizona. Page sits at the southern end of Lake Powell, which was created in 1972 with the creation of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. Between Lake Powell, the Colorado River, and the surrounding desert canyons, there are so many things to do in Page, Arizona. I’ve been several times and have barely scratched the surface!

What to See in Page Arizona

The top 3 most popular things to do in Page Arizona include Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Antelope Canyon. Of course, these are also the most crowded attractions in Page, but they are worth visiting once you’ve made the journey here. If you can avoid spring break and summer break, you can avoid the worst of the crowds.

Include Page as part of a Northern Arizona road trip!

Horseshoe Bend

You may not know it by name, but unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen photos of Horseshoe Bend. As the name implies, the Colorado River makes a horseshoe bend and there is a spectacular overlook where you can see the bend from above. According to locals, the place was relatively unknown until the last decade or so. It was just a little dirt pull-off next to Highway 89.

Horseshoe Bend - Page, Arizona

When I first visited in 2017, there was a large dirt parking lot, and they were beginning to build a more permanent situation. Today, it’s been built out with a large parking lot, restrooms, and a paved trail to the overlook. Of course, there’s also a fee to enter now, but it’s just $10 per car, and you can stay as long as you want, although entry to the parking lot is only open from sunrise to sunset.

Lake Powell

My dream vacation is to rent a houseboat on Lake Powell. However, nobody in my family or friend group wants to join me. Fortunately, there are lots of other things to do at Lake Powell without a houseboat. But getting out on the water is key! On my next trip, I'll definitely be putting my SUP on the lake and going for a paddle, as you can paddle up through Antelope Canyon.

Lake Powell

In 2024, I finally got to visit Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It was closed for years due to drought and then for the pandemic so this was a long-awaited trip for me! Unless you want a 20-mile overnight hike on the Navajo Reservation, the only way to reach Rainbow Bridge is by boat. You can take your own boat or sign up for a guided tour, which is what I did. Tours are operated by Lake Powell Resorts and the departure point is near Wahweap Marina. It's about an 8-9 hour day, mostly cruising on the boat. Once you reach the Rainbow Bridge dock, it's about a one-mile hike to the site.

Lake Powell / Rainbow Bridge

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a classic southwestern slot canyon. What most people don't realize is that there are multiple sections of Antelope Canyon. Because the canyon is on Navajo land, you must go in with a guided tour. Most visitors will choose between Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon as there isn't a tour that includes both. Upper Antelope Canyon has the dramatic light beams that are so widely photographed. Lower Antelope Canyon is wider, making it brighter and easier to photograph. However, there are a lot of stairs on the Lower Antelope Canyon tour. Both tours book up well in advance.

Antelope Canyon X

When I first visited Page on my Career Break, I hadn't planned far enough ahead to join an Antelope Canyon tour. Luckily, I came across Antelope Canyon X, a newer tour operator with their own (equally beautiful) slot canyon. The other canyons charge a hefty fee for a photographers tour, but Antelope Canyon X was much more laid-back and less crowded. They let me wander as long as I wanted with my tripod. It looks like their prices have increased a bit, but this is still a great value, especially for photographers that want to linger.

Glen Canyon Dam

Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1966, creating Lake Powell. It was one of the last major dams to be built in the United States, and it provides power to the Colorado River Basin. There's a small visitor center with an overlook that is worth checking out, especially if you want to learn about the inner workings of the dam. They used to give tours of the dam, but it appears they have halted those for now. You can also park at the visitor center and walk across the high bridge next to the dam.

Glen Canyon Dam

Day Trips from Page, Arizona

Most people probably visit Page Arizona on a longer road trip, but if you choose to spend your entire trip in Page, there are some great day trips to look into!

  • Kanab Utah is about 1 hour 15 minutes (I'll have a post about Kanab up soon!)
  • Monument Valley is about 2 hours from Page; if you are visiting any Navajo Nation sites like Antelope Canyon, your entry will also be good at Monument Valley!
  • Lee's Ferry is 45 minutes from Page; this is the beginning of the Grand Canyon, and you'll likely see a lot of whitewater trips setting off for their adventure.

Where to Eat in Page

Red Heritage Dinner Show

If you've been to Hawaii and enjoyed a luau, you should plan to attend the Red Heritage Native American Dinner Show in Page. What I love most about luaus is learning about the Polynesian culture, so the Red Heritage performance was a real treat.

Aside from this unique dining experience, I can also recommend these restaurants in Page, Arizona. There's nothing fancy or exotic, but you can get a good meal for a decent price.

  • Dam Brewery
  • The Barnyard
  • RD's Drive-In

Getting to Page Arizona

Thankfully, Page is a pretty good distance from any major city, which helps keep the crowds down a bit. While there is a municipal airport in Page, you will most likely drive as Page is surrounded by amazing scenery.

  • Las Vegas to Page is 4 hours and 15 minutes
  • Phoenix to Page is 4 1/2 hours
  • Salt Lake City to Page is 6 hours and 15 minutes

Of course, those times are just based on Google Maps, but chances are, you'll be making a lot of stops to admire the viewpoints along the way.

Where to Stay in Page Arizona

With so many popular tourist attractions in Page Arizona, there are plenty of accommodation options. Page is very popular with bus tours so I recommend booking your Page hotel before locking in anything else.

Browse Page Arizona Hotels

Luxury Hotels in Page Arizona

One of the most luxurious resorts in the country is located just outside of Page, Arizona. Amangiri is technically in Utah, about 25 minutes from Page. This is the kind of resort that has its own Heli-pad! Bailey and I enjoyed a beautiful lunch by the pool recently and I had a site tour of their units. If you are looking for a luxury getaway, Amangiri is incredible! Rooms start at $4,500 per night.

Amangiri

Camping Near Page Arizona

I really enjoyed the Wahweap Campground at Lake Powell. Of course, it was October so it wasn't unbearably hot. Even though this is a big RV campground, I enjoyed the views of the lake and the facilities were perfect for a couple days' stay.

Lake Powell from Wahweap Marina

Mid-Range Hotels in Page Arizona

There are tons of mid-range hotel chains in the area. With the recent growth in tourism here, a lot of the big chain hotels are fairly new. In fact, Page is the only La Quinta I've ever stayed at - it's pet-friendly, brand new (as of 2017) and very nice for the price. I've also used my employee discount to stay at Home2Suites and Hyatt Place. I had a beautiful view of Glen Canyon Dam from Hyatt Place, which is also pet-friendly. The only drawback to that hotel is the lack of a hot tub!

About leigh@campfiresandconcierges.com

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