Hiking the Hanging Gardens Trail in Page AZ
Preparing to hike the Hanging Gardens Trail in Page? If so, this is the article for you.
Page lies on the southern edge of the Colorado plateau, and has a one of a kind landscape, with geological wonders like Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Given my Antelope Canyon tour was canceled due to the rain, I was looking for other things to do in town.
One of the best things to do in Page is go hiking, to explore the unique rock formations and desert landscape. The Hanging Gardens Trail is a scenic trail in the middle of the desert that leads to lush hanging gardens growing in sandstone.
I hiked this trail as soon as I arrived in town, and was blown away by its natural beauty.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about hiking the Hanging Gardens Trail in Page AZ.
Parking for the Hanging Gardens Trail
The Hanging Gardens Trail is located right by the Glen Canyon Dam. To get here, you’ll turn right into a pull off, a few hundred feet before you cross over the Glen Canyon dam bridge.
There’s a small dirt road that leads to the parking lot, right at the trailhead for the hike.
There’s no restrooms at this parking lot, but there’s a small vault toilet if you continue driving on the same dirt road until you reach “The Chains” trail parking lot. But it’s in poor shape so I recommend driving to the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center to use the restroom.
Hiking the Hanging Gardens Trail
- Duration: 1.4 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with leash
- Restrooms: No
The Hanging Gardens trail is an easy, 1.4 mile round trip trail to the garden of ferns growing in sandstone. The trail is mostly flat, and exposed to the sun, with no shade throughout.
You’ll be walking on a well-paved rock trail that ends where you see the garden of ferns growing from the sandstone.
There’s swirling pink red sandstone, rocks with desert varnish, and many interesting rock formations throughout the trail.
You’ll also have a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, buttes, and Lake Powell out into the distance.
I hiked this trail on a rainy day, and there were only a few other people out. It was very quiet, peaceful, and the views of the desert landscape and sandstone were amazing. If you only have time for one hike in Page, I’d definitely recommend this one.
Just make sure to bring water, and wear a sunscreen and sun hat if visiting on a sunny day.
Why is it called the Hanging Gardens Trail?
The trail is called the Hanging Gardens because the end of the trail leads to a garden of ferns growing from the sandstone. These hanging gardens grow vertically on a cliff, and are fed by a spring, where water seeps out of the side of the cliff.
Hanging gardens are a geological phenomena that are most commonly found around the Colorado Plateau, northern Arizona and southeastern Utah. This hike is a great way to see this rare and interesting geological process up close!
When it comes to why it’s named “Hanging Gardens”, it’s said to have originated from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
However, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were artificial gardens planted on rooftops, rather than a geological phenomena.
When’s the best time to hike the hanging gardens trail?
The best time to hike the Hanging Gardens Trail is early morning or late afternoon, as there’s no shade throughout the trail.
However, the trail’s relatively short, so it’s still doable in the middle of the day as long as you wear sun protection.
Hiking in Page FAQs
Do you have to pay for parking at the Hanging Gardens Trail?
No, there’s no parking fee for the Hanging Gardens Trail.
The only fees you’ll have to pay in Page are for Horseshoe Bend ($10/vehicle), or if driving through a designated entrance station in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Lake Powell, the Wahweap Marina, and Lee’s Ferry are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so they require a park entrance pass ($30 per vehicle/week), which you can pay for at the entrance stations.
What should you wear hiking in Page?
When hiking in Page, you’ll want to wear comfortable hiking shoes, light clothing, sunscreen, and a sun hat.
Also make sure to bring a water bottle everywhere you go while outdoors. I recommend keeping a cooler in your car, so you don’t have to worry about getting ice or drinks throughout the day.
When’s the best time to visit Page?
The best time to visit Page is during the spring or fall, since it can be very hot (over 100 °F) in the summer. Additionally, monsoon season in Page is from mid June to late September, where the city can experience thunderstorms and flash floods.
If you plan on visiting during summer, just make sure to check the weather beforehand. I made the mistake of visiting on a rainy day, and my Antelope Canyon tour was canceled, since the canyon needed a cleanup.
What are the best hikes in Page?
Beyond the Hanging Gardens Trail, the Beehive Trail and the Glen Canyon Overlook are some of the most scenic hikes in Page.
The Beehive Trail is a 1.9 mile loop trail around a small hill with unique cross-bedded sandstone rock formations. The Glen Canyon Overlook is a short 0.4 mile trail that leads to a breathtaking viewpoint of the Colorado River, and the Glen Canyon Dam.
All of these hikes are within a 10 minute drive of each other. See our article on the best Page hikes for a complete list of options!
What is there to do in Page besides hiking?
Other than hiking, you can visit the Glen Canyon Dam visitor center, Powell Museum, or do recreational activities at Lake Powell (swimming, boating, kayaking).
For more ideas on what to do during your trip, see our list of things you won’t want to miss in Page.
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