Camping and RV options near Antelope Canyon
Primitive Camping
There are a number of good locations where you can put up a tent and enjoy the water and/or scenery. Your experience will depend a lot of whether you want isolation or amenities and convenience (but be prepared to be shoulder to shoulder with other campers during the busy season.)
If you want isolation, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) is 1.25 million acres, and the Arizona strip (Bureau of Land Management / BLM) is larger than the state of Massachusetts so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a nice 100 acre spot to claim for the weekend. Just make sure you know the regulations concerning overnighting. In general, if you pack everything out that you bring in, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Assuming you want to be relatively close to a road, here are the most popular options for the area around Antelope Canyon.
Lone Rock Beach – Lone rock is a favorite place for locals. A few miles of sandy beach just 20 minutes from Page, you can usually find a good spot near the water and camp for 12$ a night. There are bathrooms, but no showers or water. Be careful driving as the sand can get pretty deep. Lone Rock beach is the featured photograph
Alstrom Point – Alstrom is becoming more popular with visitors with off-road vehicles, as it offers one of the most scenic overlooks of Lake Powell. It is part of the GCNRA. You will need 4wd to get all the way to the end, but there are some great camping sites on the way. Just make sure you don’t camp in a wash, because of the flash flood dangers.
Managed Campgrounds
Managed campground in the area offer amenities such as full hook-ups, showers, and coin operated laundry. It is a good idea to get advanced reservations.
There are two managed campgrounds within 20 minutes of Antelope Canyon
Wahweap RV and Campground – This campground is located in the GCNRA, about 20 miles from Antelope Canyon. It is located next to the marina, so you’ll have full access to restaurants, boat rentals, and a nearby beach. In addition to the nightly fee, you’ll also need to pay for the park entrance fee or have an annual pass. Rates are around 28$ for tent / no hook-up to 48$ for full hook-ups
Page Campground – Located less than 7 miles from Antelope Canyon, this campground is located 6.2 miles from Antelope Canyon. You’ll need to drive 5 minutes or so to get to restaurants and stores in Page. Rates range from 18$ for tents to 30$ for full hook-ups. Has an indoor pool and Jacuzzi.
35 Responses
Are pets allowed? We will be taking our 2 dogs(60lbs each) with us with a travel trailer & would love be able to take them!
Thanks
Hey Joe!
If you’re referring to the Antelope Canyons (walking tours), unfortunately, pets are not allowed. Dogs are welcome at Horseshoe Bend as long as they are leashed at all times and their owners pick up after them. They can also be brought into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as long as they stay on paved trails. However, they are not allowed in any hotels rooms or in any restaurants. They are also not allowed on any tour vehicles or boats. If you are visiting during the summer months, I would recommend investing in some protective booties to protect your dogs’ paws from potentially hot sand or asphalt.
If you need to board your pets at any time while you’re in Page, AZ, this service is available at Pampered Pets of Page, AZ, or the Page Animal Hospital.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I am planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, we have an RV. Is there any transportation that brings you to Antelope Canyon? I would prefer not to drive the RV there if possible as I would like to stay in Page for 2 nights. Thanks for any advice.
Hi Marquita,
This is a really good question! The answer is contingent on whether you prefer to tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon.
At Lower Antelope Canyon, you are required to drive to one of the tour companies’ headquarters on-site. Their parking lots are quite large and are able to accommodate RV’s.
If you prefer to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, two of the four tour companies that manage that section of the canyon have offices in Page, AZ: Carolene Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours and Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. In either case, you would still need to drive the RV to the departure location. Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours are located in a small strip mall, which has an adjacent parking area that can accommodate RV’s. For Chief Tsosie, you would need to park across the street at the local Safeway store.
If you were to stay at the Page/Lake Powell Campground, either company *MIGHT* be able or willing to pick you up there since it’s right on the way to Antelope Canyon. However, I cannot personally guaurantee this. I would recommend inquiring by phone about whether this is possible. For Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, call 928-645-9102. For Chief Tsosie, call 928-645-5594.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Are there any areas close to Antelope Canyon or along Lake Powell that allow for RV camping that are NOT RV parks or campgrounds? We prefer primitive camping but do have a trailer. I appreciate any input or advice!
Thank you!
Hi Marni,
This is an excellent question!
If you’d prefer to avoid developed RV parks, there are a few options near Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell.
Boondocking is permitted in the parking lot of the local Super Wal-Mart. You might also try the Beehives Campground, aka the “New” Wave, a small first-come/first-serve campground a short distance from Page, AZ. Lone Rock Beach may also be a good option. Though the latter two campgrounds are considered “primitive,” they are not free: they cost $14/night. Lake Powell camping
Alstrom Point is another spot where camping is permitted; the views are amazing, and you’d probably have the place all to yourself. However, before you get too excited about it, know that this place is quite “off-the-beaten-path.” The roads there are largely unpaved, so a 4WD vehicle with good clearance is a must. Camping at Alstrom Point
Another local campground, quite newly opened, worth considering is Arrowhead Campground at Mystical Antelope Canyon. I’m not sure if they accomodate trailers, so you might phone or e-mail them to inquire, but here you can stay in a tipi or rented tent on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands.
Before you commit to any of these, however, I kinda wish I knew what time of year you’re visiting. There are certain times of the year where you’ll definitely want to have access to amenities such as heat or air conditioning. In the summer months, for example, daytime highs get up over 100 degrees on a regular basis, and your trailer will be nothing but a tin can sitting in the sun. If your vacation is planned for winter, early spring, or late fall, cool nights will be the norm, and reliable heat is sure to be appreciated.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Would you recommend this as a family cubscout camping adventure and would March or April be an appropriate time to go?
Hi Jennifer,
A trip to Page, AZ, would make for an excellent family Cub Scout camping adventure! There’s a lot to see and do here, as you’ve probably already seen.
As for the better time of year to go, April tends to offer more stable weather than March. March is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring and is notorious for having a late season snowstorm blow through. It can happen in April as well, but statistically, April (especially the latter half of the month) offers daytime highs that are pleasant (60’s-70’s), and brisk nighttime lows (40’s). The water temperature in Lake Powell is also a bit on the cool side at that time of year (~55-60 degrees F), but the scouts probably won’t be able to resist taking a dip.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
I am planning on meeting my family at Antelope Point Marina on August 17th but will be arriving late on the 16th and need a place to camp for the night. I will not be getting there until about 11 pm. What do you recommend for me to do since most camp grounds will be closed by this time?
Britney,
You might see if you can find a space at the Beehive Campground, aka the “New” Wave. This is a free (for the moment), first-come/first-served camping area. To get there, you must cross the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge and on the left side of US89, look for a turn-off across from the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort. However, you may find this campground full by the time you arrive, and it is monitored by the National Park Service, who frown on “improvised” camping in this area. If that’s the case, just about the only other option would be the Page, AZ, Wal-Mart parking lot, but they don’t allow tent camping, just car and/or RV camping.
One thing I do wish to point out is that in August, nights are still quite warm in Page, AZ. The current weather forecast calls for daytime highs in the high 90’s/low 100’s, and overnight lows in the 70’s. Not that comfortable for camping of any stripe IMO. I would recommend springing for a hotel. You’ll have a much better night’s rest so you can be refreshed and ready for fun with your family the next morning! For the most reasonable rates, look to the independently-owned properties on the “Street of Little Motels,” which tend to offer lower prices than the chain hotels and motels.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello, I’m with a party of three and are planning to visit from 3-5 of July. We are wondering if we need o make a reservation for camping spot, and or if we have spots opened for the busy weekend.
Thank you
Dear Andres,
You are visiting during the U.S. Independence Day Holiday, one of the busiest travel weekends in Northern Arizona! Reservations are an absolute must for any overnight accommodations, including camping. Speaking of which, you might wish to spring for a hotel in Page, AZ. That time of year is VERY hot, and overnight temperatures probably won’t dip down low enough for camping to be comfortable.
Whatever you decide, make reservations ASAP!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi , you seem like the most amazing person
We camp a lot . Its my birthday on 12/01 and i would love to camp and go To check Antelope canyon . I would love to get the free camping but i dont mind to pay! I think its off season but do you think we could be lucky! We will be driving from Cal/Ventura. Thank you so much
Hi Klara!
At the time of year you’re visiting, I would not advise camping. Not that it isn’t fun, and that there aren’t ample opportunities for tent or RV camping, but at the time of year you’re visiting, nights are starting to get very cold. This week, for example, nighttime lows are expected to dip into the 30’s and 40’s. Unless you have a sleeping bag that’s rated for colder temperatures, I would strongly advise booking a hotel in Page, AZ. Available choices run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and pretty much everything in between in terms of price point and amenity classes.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all lodging, and Antelope Canyon tours well in advance of your arrival.
God luck, safe travels, and hope you have a happy birthday!~
Alley 🙂
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Page, Arizona during July 4th weekend. I am driving from Vegas on the 4th and would want to see the sunset at Horseshoe bend. How crowded is it usually during this weekend? What is the best time to go and where is the best place to park? I plan on sleeping in the car over night, are you able to recommend any places for car camping that would be relatively close to Antelope Canyon? My tour for Upper Antelope Canyon is at 6:30 am, hoping this would be bright enough for beautiful pictures!
Thank you in advance!!
Hi Bobby,
4th of July is one of the busiest weekends of the year in Page, AZ. At sunset, you will be sharing Horseshoe Bend with a lot of other people with the same idea, that is IF you can find parking. It would be better to plan on visiting the overlook at sunrise, which occurs at ~5:00 AM in July. You would need to be at your Antelope Canyon tour outfitter’s office by 6:00 AM for a 6:30 AM tour. Most Antelope Canyon tour companies are anywhere from 10-20 minutes from Horseshoe Bend.
Sleeping in one’s car constitutes camping according to local laws, which must be done at designated campgrounds. The closest one to Horseshoe Bend is the Page/Lake Powell Campground, but frankly, I’d advise against doing this at the time of year you’re visiting. July is one of the hottest months of the year and the interior of your vehicle will be uncomfortably warm. Spring for a hotel and enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. Page, AZ, hotels You’ll have a much better time of it, trust me!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Very helpful information for us. Thanks!
We have a plan to Antelope Canyon in August, and have a question: there have RV parking lot for daytime?
Hi June,
You should be able to find adequate parking for your RV, but I would recommend booking your Antelope Canyon tour for an earlier time slot. Later in the day, you’d probably have a harder time finding a place to park.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello!
I am looking for your advice on our upcoming trip. We are coming the end of Sept/beginning of October for a wedding and extending our vacation to see the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend and are open to other suggestions! Here are our two scenarios:
Our initial plan is to fly into Phoenix arriving at 10:15 9/28 then drive to Page, hopefully arriving by 5. We’d have that evening and most of Sunday to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend (maybe Lake Powell if time allowed) then drive to the Grand Canyon late afternoon. In the Grand Canyon we’d have all day Monday and most of Tuesday before heading back to Phoenix. Is this enough time for both locations without being rushed?
We do have the option to fly in to Mesa late 9/26 and staying overnight then getting up early to drive to Page where we’d have Friday afternoon and most of Saturday for the same attractions (or others if you have any suggestions) before heading to the Grand Canyon late that afternoon. We’d then have all day Sunday & Monday in the Grand Canyon and part of Tuesday before heading back to Phoenix.
Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks so much!!
Hi Crystal,
It looks as though you are allowing enough time in both Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon to not be rushed. The main thing is to be sure you time all drives you make so that you are at your final destination for the day by dusk. Driving at night is discouraged in Northern Arizona due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, plus the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes wild horses to graze around them after dark, bumping up your chances of getting into an accident. Sunrise in late September occurs at around 6:00 AM and sunset takes place at approximately 6:30 PM.
The drive time from Page, AZ, to the Grand Canyon is given on Mapquest and such as 2.5 hours, but in actuality, it tends to be more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours since the drive is very scenic, and you will find yourself stopping often, particularly on the section of the trip between the Eastern park entrance at Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village.
Be sure to have all your Grand Canyon lodging and Page, AZ hotels booked, as well as Antelope Canyon tour reservations made, well in advance of your vacation. Now would not be too soon to get on this if you haven’t already. Tours for summer and fall are already selling out from what I’ve heard.
If you find yourself with more time to work with, another place you might consider adding to your itinerary is Sedona. It’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do. I can almost guarantee that once you see it, you’ll be planning a return visit when you can spend more time! Sedona is ~2.5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim, then Phoenix is about 2 hours away. For suggestions on what to do, where to stay, etc., go to http://www.VisitSedona.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
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