6 Spectacular Hikes In Page Arizona (2024)
Are you looking for the best day hikes in Page AZ? If so, this article’s for you.
Page Arizona has a one of a kind landscape, with slot canyons, unique sandstone formations, the Colorado river and Lake Powell. I recently made the 4 hour drive from Phoenix to Page, to explore its natural beauty.
Spending two days in town, I was able to discover some amazing hiking trails. This article will cover 6 of the best day hikes in Page Arizona. From popular hikes like Antelope Canyon, to lesser known gems with breathtaking views, there’s something on this list for everybody.
Here are 6 spectacular day hikes in Page Arizona.
For your convenience, I’ve included a map of Page hikes, pinning all of the trails listed in this article.
Best Hikes In Page Arizona
Hanging Gardens Trail
- Length: 1.4 miles roundtrip
- Restrooms: No, but nearby restrooms down the road at The Chains trailhead
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with leash
The Hanging Gardens Trail is a short 1.4 mile round trip hike, to a lush garden of ferns growing in the sandstone. Throughout this trail, there’s beautiful panoramic views of the desert landscape and surrounding mountains.
From the pink-red swirling sandstone, to the unique rock formations and desert varnish, this was one of the coolest trails I’ve ever hiked.
You’ll know you’ve reached the end of the trail when you see the garden of ferns. I also loved how quiet and serene this trail was, with only a few other people there when I visited.
There’s no shade throughout this trail, so make sure to wear sunscreen, a sun hat, and bring lots of water. There’s no restrooms at this trail, but there’s a small vault toilet if you continue driving down the same dirt road to The Chains parking lot.
Antelope Canyon
- Length: 1 miles roundtrip (1-2 hours)
- Restrooms: Yes, at the office entrance where tours begin, none throughout tour
- Dog-friendly: No
Antelope Canyon is one of the most breathtaking, and popular hikes in Page. This is the iconic red-orange slot canyon with smooth walls, you’ve likely seen in professional photos and wallpapers.
The slot canyons were formed by years of water erosion on Navajo sandstone, and they’re located on tribal lands, so they’re only accessible by guided tour. Antelope Canyon is divided into the upper and lower portions.
Lower Antelope Canyon tours are around $20-40 cheaper, and the canyon has brighter lighting, and there are sets of stairs descending into the canyon.
Upper Antelope Canyon tours are more expensive, and it has darker lighting, and flat sandy pathways.
Both of these hikes are around 1 mile round trip. On the tours, you’ll get to explore the canyons, stop for photos, and learn about geology, history, and Navajo culture from a guide.
The tour companies are located just 10 miles east of Page, and the tours typically take 1-1.5 hours. If you visit Antelope Canyon, you’ll still have plenty of time to see the rest of the attractions within a day.
Beehive Trail (The New Wave)
- Length: 1.9 miles roundtrip
- Restrooms: Yes, at the Beehives campground parking lot
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with leash
The Beehive Trail is an amazing short hike, located on the opposite side of the Glen Canyon dam bridge from The Hanging Gardens trail. It’s a 1.9 mile loop hike around a small hill and the “New Wave” rock formation.
The New Wave is a swirling cross-bedded sandstone, reminiscent of the popular Wave rock formation. The original Wave rock formation sits on the Utah/Arizona border, and requires a permit that’s obtained through a lottery system to visit.
Getting a permit can be difficult and it’s located an hour outside of Page, so the “New Wave” is a great alternative! The New Wave is a much milder version of The Wave, but it’s still beautiful and worth checking out.
You can park at the Beehives campground, and the trailhead is right across the street. There’s a small vault toilet here. Alternatively, you can continue driving along the small dirt road that leads to the New Wave.
However, the sand gets incrementally deeper, so part of the road is only accessible by 4×4 vehicle.
Glen Canyon Overlook
- Length: ~1 mile roundtrip
- Restrooms: No,
- Dog-friendly: Yes, on leash
The Glen Canyon Overlook is a very scenic hike that leads to an overlook of the Glen Canyon Dam. The main overlook is a short walk down a flight of stairs, where you’ll have a good view of the dam, and Colorado River to the left.
But if you have the time, I recommend hiking the trail you see outlined by the rocks, to the right of the parking lot.
I recommend walking all the way down this trail until you see the “Colorado Viewpoint” trail marker. This is around a half mile into the hike.
Here you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Colorado River, that’s almost as stunning as Horseshoe Bend, but without all of the crowds.
The trail is over uneven sandstone, and has beautiful orange sandstone rock formations throughout. It continues to lead further to the Glen Canyon Dam, but you cannot cross the actual bridge from this trail.
There are also no restrooms on this trail. If you want to walk over the dam bridge, you’ll park at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center instead.
The visitor center has restrooms, a small gift shop, museum, and theater with a film on the construction of the dam.
From the visitor center, you can walk over the dam bridge. The bridge has sidewalks, and a barbed wire fence with openings so you can snap photos of the Colorado River and Lake Powell.
The Chains Trail
- Length: ~0.4 miles roundtrip
- Restrooms: Small vault toilet by the parking lot
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with leash
Located right down the road from The Hanging Gardens Trailhead, the Chains trail is another easy day hike. This is a 0.4 mile round trip trail to the edge of Lake Powell, where you can go swimming or cliff jumping into the water.
If you want to swim in Lake Powell for free, this is the place to go. Alternatively, you can go swimming at the Wahweap Beach, but you’ll have to pay an entrance fee for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30/vehicle, 7 day pass).
You’ll have a beautiful view of Glen Canyon Dam and surrounding red rocks throughout this trail.
The trail is not clear, so there are multiple pathways you can take to get down by the water.
Just remember to wear comfortable shoes with good traction, as the trail’s over hard rock.
It has a free dirt parking lot with a pit toilet that’s not in the best shape. But, it’s only a 5 minute drive from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center which has clean restrooms.
Horseshoe Bend
- Length: 1.4 miles roundtrip
- Restrooms: Yes, at the entrance
- Dog-friendly: Yes, with leash
This list could not be complete without Page’s most popular attraction, Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend is a spectacular viewpoint of the Colorado River twisting around a towering sandstone formation in a horseshoe shape.
The brown desert varnish on the canyon walls, and green algae in the Colorado River make it a gorgeous sight to see. It’s a short 1.4 mile round trip walk out to the overlook on a well-paved sandy trail.
You can expect to see dozens of crowds here, regardless of when you visit, since it’s extremely popular amongst tourists. But, once you arrive at the overlook, there’s plenty of space to take photos.
It costs $10 per vehicle to enter, and there are restrooms located at the entrance.
Page AZ Hikes Map
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