15 of the Best Things To Do in Page Arizona This Year
Red slot canyons, dramatic river bends, miles of lakefront against desert landscapes — the list of jaw-dropping things to do in Page, Arizona, goes on and on.
Located in northern Arizona, Page sprang up in 1957 as a temporary community for builders of the Glen Canyon Dam, but it stuck around and now thrives on tourism. Between manmade Lake Powell and the incredible natural canyons, mesas and buttes all around, there are tons of things to do near Page AZ.
Most people associate Page with Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, two stunning natural features that have grown drastically in popularity thanks to social media. The town is also centrally located within the Southwest’s Grand Circle, a scenic zone packed with national parks, monuments and recreation areas, so it makes for a great base or road trip destination.
The list below is full of incredible things to do in Page, Arizona, and a rundown of a few parks and must-sees within a couple of hours of the city, perfect for a Utah and Arizona road trip. You also don’t want to miss our finds for the most unique places to stay in Page (hint: some are REALLY old-school Western).
Best Things To Do in Page Arizona
These are the best things to do in Page, Arizona, that you should add to your next trip. I’ve visited Page a few times now and return to many of these places every time I go.
Rim Trail
The City of Page Rim Trail is a great way to soak up the desert scenery around the town. Along the 10-mile loop, you’ll catch glimpses of Tower Butte, Boundary Butte on the state line, the Vermillion Cliffs and Navajo Mountain.
The path is open to hikers, bikers and pets, and bicycle rentals are available in town.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend tops most Page bucket lists, and when you see it you’ll understand why. The landscape is formed by the Colorado River slicing a U-shaped canyon around a sandstone cliff, leaving exposed orange and red rock layers that contrast stunningly against the blue of the water and sky.
The site is on the outskirts of town, and nearly 10 miles upstream from the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. To reach the view, you have to walk less than a mile from a parking lot slightly downhill to the rocky canyon edge. The trail here is ADA compliant.
There’s a great view by the main railed lookout, but you can also walk off to the sides to find your own spot away from the crowds. The drop is about 1,000 feet, though, so be careful and aware of your surroundings.
Lake Powell
Manmade Lake Powell is formed by the Glen Canyon Dam, turning the Colorado River here into a reservoir. The water flows around amber rock formations and into narrow channels, creating a veiny lake shape with miles of coastline and stunning desert-like scenery.
Exploring Lake Powell is one of the best things to do in Page, Arizona, and there are tons of ways to get out on the water — stay overnight on a houseboat, paddle or kayak into slot canyons, raft around Horseshoe Bend, or hop in for a swim.
Glen Canyon Dam
Built in the 1950s and 60s to corral the waters of the Colorado River for drought needs, Glen Canyon Dam established the town of Page and created Lake Powell. At 710 feet, the concrete arch dam is the second tallest one in the U.S. behind the famous Hoover Dam in Nevada. The 1.25 million acres surrounding it are designated as the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Guided tours at the dam that get you up close to the structure and introduce its history and hydroelectric power. You can also get a good view from a little further away at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, which is near the park headquarters in Page, just off the main road and a short walk from a parking lot.
Antelope Canyon
If you’re looking for the absolute best things to do in Page, Arizona, you can’t skip Antelope Canyon, where slot canyons through towering red sandstone walls create wavy passageways.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular section to visit since it’s more accessible at ground level and has the famous soaring canyon walls and light beams slicing through the open ceiling. Most photos you see of Antelope Canyon are taken here. It’s narrower at the top but wider at the bottom, making it feel less claustrophobic as you walk around.
Lower Antelope Canyon is a bit more of an adventurous hike, with tight sections to squeeze through and ladders to climb up and down. The canyon is shaped like a V, with a wider top and narrow bottom. It once was less crowded than Upper, but this section sells out quickly now, too.
Antelope Canyon X is still a bit of a hidden gem in this area, in a different section of the slot canyon that’s just as scenic. With small groups and fewer visitors here, the experience does not feel rushed or crowded, with plenty of time and opportunities to snap photos. The tour includes two different sections of the canyon with narrow passageways and openings for light beams. You do have to hike downhill to reach them, but no ladders are involved once inside.
Hanging Garden Trail
The Hanging Garden Trail is a lesser-known thing to do in Page and the perfect activity for spring or fall. The easy walk leads to an intriguing green landscape in the middle of the desert. Hanging gardens are formed when plants fed by springs grow along a cliff wall. This one is located on the sandstone above Lake Powell and fed by a rainwater seep spring.
The hike is 1 mile, round trip.
Air Tours
Best Things To Do Near Page Arizona
Most people visit Page on a road trip of northern Arizona and southern Utah, so I’ve rounded up some of the other amazing things to do near Page, Arizona, in this region. There are several national parks just a couple of hours from Page, so you won’t run out of things to see!
Click this map of things to do near Page to open a Google Map with pinned locations of nearby national parks and monuments.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Less than 70 miles west of Page, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument includes cliffs, buttes and canyons along the Arizona-Utah border that make for some epic backcountry hikes. The most famous section, the Wave in the Coyote Buttes, is so popular that you have to enter a lottery to be one of the few people to visit each day.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Rolling hills of pink sand set the scene at this state park, about 95 miles from Page in Utah. You can walk the dunes and snap photos or get a little more adventurous by sledding, sandboarding, dirt biking or ATVing on them. Local vendors rent out all the gear you’ll need.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Rainbow Bridge is a unique arched rock formation that looks exactly as its name implies. To reach it, you either have to backpack 14 or more miles across Navajo Nation land or boat up Lake Powell for about 50 miles. Boat tours and rentals are available from Page to help you get here.
Grand Canyon South Rim
The East Entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is about 110 miles from Page, and the two pair nicely on an Arizona road trip. Try to carve out at least one day at the Grand Canyon to check out a few of the overlooks down Hermit Road, hike along the Rim Trail or into the canyon, and catch the sunset or sunrise.
Grand Canyon North Rim
About 125 miles southwest of Page, the Grand Canyon North Rim is much less crowded with incredible views from the highest points of the canyon. Try overlooks like Point Imperial, Angel’s Window and Walhalla to spot the Colorado River, a natural bridge and ancient ruins. There are also trails leading to the canyon floor. North Rim facilities are typically only open between mid-May and mid-October, and the site is closed to vehicles for the season by December.
Bryce Canyon National Park
North across the Utah state line 150 miles from Page, Bryce is known for its canyons full of unique rock spires. With one day in Bryce Canyon, you can walk along the rim to overlooks like Inspiration Point and Sunset Point, or hike down into the amphitheater to get closer to the hoodoos.
Monument Valley Tribal Park
The sandstone rock formations rise hundreds of feet from a red desert landscape, creating stunning scenery as you drive through Monument Valley Tribal Park. The bucket-list destination is located along the Arizona-Utah border in the Navajo Nation territory a little less than 150 miles from Page.
You can drive yourself around the 17-mile loop if you have an SUV, but the wait to enter can be long. Tours are also available and can be reserved ahead of time to make sure you have a spot when you arrive. Tours can be just a couple of hours to half a day or longer.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park, about 185 northwest in Utah, has epic trails and scenic drives surrounded by soaring canyon walls that narrow as you head deeper into the park. Most hikers head for the bucket-list Angel’s Landing trail up a skinny rock ridge high above the canyon or The Narrows path, a hike through the Colorado River as the canyon walls close in overhead. Easier trails here follow the riverfront, lead to waterfalls, and take you to a view over two canyons.
Tips for Visiting Page Arizona
When to Visit Page Arizona
Summer is an incredibly busy and hot season to visit this part of Arizona, though cooling off in Lake Powell does help with one of those. I recommend visiting in spring or fall for milder hiking weather and cheaper rates on hotels.
How to Plan a Trip to Page
How to Stay Safe in Page
While the desert landscapes here may look picture-perfect, nature is raw and wild. Some of the top things to see in Page Arizona like canyons and cliffs are mostly unguarded. Desert heat can be dehydrating. And rains from miles away can dangerously flash flood slot canyons. Be mindful of your surroundings and prepare and research for outdoor adventures to ensure a safe vacation.
Do You Need a Car in Page Arizona?
How to Get to Page Arizona
Many people visit Page on a Southwest road trip, flying into Las Vegas or Phoenix, both about 4 hours away.
From Phoenix, you’ll head north on Interstate 17 passing Prescott and Flagstaff, where you can veer off to the Grand Canyon South Rim on your way to Page.
From Las Vegas, the most direct route is through southern Utah on I-15 and U.S. Route 89, passing Zion National Park. You could also take a longer Arizona path that crosses Route 66 heading toward Flagstaff and runs north to the Grand Canyon before exiting the park’s eastern side toward Page.
Page does have a small municipal airport with direct flights from Phoenix, but it’s typically cheaper to drive from one of the major cities. In either case, you’ll want to rent a vehicle to get to all of the Page Arizona attractions and the national parks nearby.
Where to Stay in Page Arizona
Houseboats
Lake Powell houseboats are perfect for groups and families wanting to stay right on the water, with basic to lux rentals that can accommodate a dozen or more people in some cases. They typically come with kitchens, sun decks and private sleeping quarters, with some adding fun touches like slides to splash into the lake.