10 Unmissable Things To Do In Page AZ (2024)
Are you looking for a list of the best things to do in Page Arizona? You’ve come to the right article.
Page is by far the most unique place I’ve ever visited in Arizona. Right by the border between Utah and Arizona, Page was originally founded to house the workers building the Glen Canyon Dam.
This dam created Lake Powell from the flow of the Colorado River in 1963, and now offers tons of fun recreational activities. Page is also home to the famous Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon in the nearby land of the Navajo nation.
I made the 4 hour drive from Phoenix to Page, and the natural beauty made the trip well worth it.
To help you plan a memorable trip, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Page. From epic day hikes to boat tours, there’s something on this list for all.
Here are 10 things in Page Arizona that you won’t want to miss.
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1. Visit Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a beautiful overlook of a horseshoe shaped canyon cut by the Colorado River, that’s a must-see for anyone visiting Page. It’s just a short 1.4 mile walk (roundtrip) to the viewpoint and back.
The orange pinkish sandstone rock and green algae from the river contrast to make this one of the most scenic places in Arizona. It only costs $10 per vehicle to visit, and it’s open year round from sunrise to sunset.
2. Hike The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
The first thing I did when visiting Page was hiking the Glen Canyon Overlook. This is an incredibly scenic hike with views of the Colorado River and the Glen Canyon Dam.
To the left of the parking lot, you can walk down a small set of stairs to an overlook of the dam.
Additionally, there’s a trail to the right of the parking lot outlined by rocks.
This trail has lots of unique rock formations, and a breathtaking view of the Colorado River at around 0.5 mile into the hike.
Not to be confused with the visitor center, you can’t walk over the dam from here. But, this hike was much more interesting and scenic than walking over the dam.
3. Tour Antelope Canyon
Just 10 minutes east of Page, Antelope Canyon is an iconic slot canyon located on Navajo lands. This slot canyon was formed by years of erosion, and has smooth reddish orange sandstone walls that are a dream for photographers.
The canyon’s divided into two parts, the above-ground Upper Antelope Canyon, and below ground Lower Antelope Canyon.
To visit Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to go on a guided tour since the land’s owned by the Navajo Nation.
Lower Antelope Canyon tours are the most popular, since they’re around $20 cheaper, and the lighting is often better for photography. Lower Antelope Canyon also has stairs and ladders throughout the hike, whereas Upper Antelope Canyon is mostly a flat, sandy pathway.
Regardless of which you visit, you’ll leave with tons of amazing photos.
4. Hike The Hanging Gardens Trail
The Hanging Gardens Trail is a stunning trail over the desert that leads to a garden of ferns hanging on the sandstone rocks.
It’s a short 1.4 mile trail (roundtrip) to the gardens and back, and it’s surrounded by beautiful desert scenery.
I hiked this trail on a rainy day, and the unique rock formations and swirling sandstone made it feel like I was visiting Mars. If you only have time for one hike in Page, I highly recommend this one.
Just make sure to wear sunscreen and bring water, since it’s very exposed. There’s a small dirt parking lot, and nearby vault toilet if you continue driving on the dirt road down to the Chains Trail.
5. Walk Over The Glen Canyon Dam Bridge
The Glen Canyon Dam is a 710 foot dam that created the Lake Powell reservoir, and the reason the town was originally founded. You can park at the Carl Hayden visitor center for free to walk over the dam.
The visitor center has a small gift shop, museum, and film on the history behind its construction. The parking lot is steps away from the dam, which you can walk across to admire views of Lake Powell and the Colorado River.
There’s barbed wire along the bridge, but a great viewpoint once you reach the other side (across from the visitor center).
6. See The New Wave (Beehive Trail)
The New Wave is a stunning swirling sandstone rock that resembles the famous Wave rock formation. The actual Wave is an hour outside of Page, and requires a permit to visit.
Getting a permit to the Wave can be difficult since they use a lottery system, and only allow 48 people to visit per day! However, the New Wave is a great alternative, located right off the highway near the dam.
To get to it, you’ll hike the Beehive Trail, a 1.9 mile loop trail that took me around an hour to hike in total.
This trail has tons of beautiful desert scenery, and unique rock formations to explore, so it’s perfect for a day hike.
7. Go Kayaking At Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a large manmade reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam, that spans 186 miles into southern Utah.
It’s surrounded by interesting rock formations, and you can also visit a portion of Antelope Canyon by kayaking through this beautiful reservoir.
If you’re up for an adventure, this is a great way to visit Antelope Canyon besides guided hiking tours. You can expect around 1-2 hours of paddling, and another hour exploring the slot canyon.
8. Hike The Chains Trail
The Chains Trail is a scenic 0.4 mile trail that leads down to the water at Lake Powell. There’s interesting rock formations, and beautiful views of the Glen Canyon dam throughout this trail.
Unlike Wahweap Beach, you don’t need to purchase a Glen Canyon National Recreation Area pass ($30/vehicle, 7 days) to visit here, so you can go swimming for free!
Keep in mind that the trail’s not clear, so you may have to explore around for a bit until you find an area close to the water.
This trail is over hard rocks, so you’ll want to wear comfortable hiking shoes with good grip on the way down.
9. Watch The Sunset At The Wahweap Viewpoint
One of the best places to watch the sunset in Page is the Wahweap Viewpoint. This is a scenic overlook with panoramic views of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and the surrounding mountains.
I visited in the middle of a thunderstorm, and was lucky enough to see a double rainbow! There’s also a small shaded area with benches, so it’s an excellent place for a sunset picnic.
10. See The Secret Cave at the Shell Gas Station
Located right behind the Shell Gas Station, there’s an interesting little cave you can hike onto. To get there, you’ll park at the small dirt lot alongside a barbed wire fence.
From here, you’ll see an indentation in the rock, which is where the cave’s located.
Hike to this spot, and walk down into the cave. At the bottom of the cave you’ll have a great photo opportunity of the sandstone arch.
I unfortunately walked right past the cave, since I didn’t realize you had to hike down into it! However, it was still well worth checking out after stopping for gas.
Indoor Things To Do In Page
Looking to escape the heat? Here are a few indoor things to do around Page:
- Carl Hayden Visitor Center: The Glen Canyon Dam visitor center has a bookstore, gift shop, informational exhibits, and theater with a film on the history of the dam’s construction. It’s completely free to visit, and an interesting way to learn about engineering behind the dam.
- Lake Powell Museum: An interesting little museum on the explorer John Wesley Powell, and the cultural history and geology of Page. It costs $12 per adult, and is free for children under 9.
- Mesa Theatre: A small family–friendly local theater right next to the donut shop and Safeway in downtown.
- The Bowl: A small old–school bowling alley with pool tables, and a bar, right by the restaurants in downtown that’s open late each night.
Where To Stay In Page AZ
- Budget–friendly ($): Sleep Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell
- Mid–range ($$): Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
- Luxury ($$$): Hampton Inn & Suites
Traveling to Page AZ FAQs
How many days do you need in Page AZ?
One to two days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Page. Everything in Page, including the Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and the Antelope Canyon tour companies, are within a 15-20 minute drive of each other.
If visiting Antelope Canyon is part of your itinerary, I recommend booking your tour for the first day that you’re in Page. This will allow you to reschedule the next day, if your tour happens to be canceled due to the weather.
When’s the best time to visit Page?
The best time to visit Page is in the Spring or Fall, to avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures. The worst time to visit is during an active monsoon, which can happen from late June to September.
During monsoon season, rain, thunderstorms, and flash floods can cancel your plans of visiting Antelope Canyon.
I made the mistake of visiting during a thunderstorm, and my Lower Antelope Canyon tour was canceled because the slot canyon needed to be cleaned up.
What should you wear in Page?
If visiting Page in the summer, you should wear light clothing, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes to explore the desert scenery.
What airport do you fly into Page AZ?
The closest airport to Page is the Page Municipal Airport.
If you’re looking for cheaper flights, the Flagstaff Pullium and Phoenix Sky Harbor airport are the next best options.
Flagstaff’s airport is around a 2 hour drive from Page, whereas Phoenix Sky Harbor is nearly a 5 hour drive.
How long is the drive from Page from Phoenix?
The drive from Page to Phoenix is 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic.
What can you see on the drive from Page to Phoenix?
On the way from Phoenix to Page, you can stop by the Montezuma Castle National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. These are both less than a 15 minute detour off of the highway.
You can also stop by Sedona if you want to see the famous red rocks, or stop in town for food. The Village of Oak Creek in Sedona is only around a 20 minute detour off of highway 17.
Here you can see the iconic Bell Rock mountain, and there are many great restaurant, cafes, and shops.
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