You have two days in Page, Arizona. Sweet! Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are definitely on your to-do list. We’re with you so far. Then what else are you going to do to occupy your time? Here’s a news flash for you: you’re going to find so much cool stuff to do here, you’ll wish you had three days to spend in the area! More on that later…
So, what’s the Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona? Well, like the Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary, it consists of touring Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, but with a few twists.
Since a good majority of Page/Lake Powell visitors come to us from Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff and points South, we’re going to assume that you are, too. If not, just take our suggested itinerary and shuffle it around a bit.
Day 1
Sunrise: Pack up the night before so you can get an early start on the drive to Page, Arizona. Depending on how often you stop, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim or Flagstaff can take anywhere from 2.5- 4 hours. Enjoy breakfast at the Historic Cameron Trading Post. The Navajo Taco with an egg on top is amazing, but fair warning: unless you’re starving, get the “mini.” The regular is huge!
Mid-morning: Stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook just 5 miles South of Page, AZ, at Mile Marker 545 on US89. The new parking lot is well-signed, easy to find, and open from sunrise to sunset. After paying your entrance fee of $5 per motorcycle, $10 for standard passenger vehicles, or $35 for light commercial vehicles, hit the trail to the rim! The walk to the overlook is .7 miles each way and is manageable for most people in relatively good health. Along with the parking lot construction, grading and partial paving of the trail was done, making it a slightly longer, but less hilly walk than in years past. There are benches placed every few hundred yards if you or anyone in your party needs a breather, plus wheelchair access is also manageable with assistance. Other recent improvements include a raised platform with safety railings. However, the railings do not extend all the way around the overlook. For the most part, this remains an exposed overlook in a desert environment. Water and sun protection are a must, as are appropriate, preferably close-toed walking shoes. What To Bring to Horseshoe Bend Keep children and pets under control at all times; it’s a 500’+ drop to the river. Restrooms are available at the parking lot. Allow 60-90 minutes to enjoy the stunning view of this 270° turn (what geologists call an “entrenched meander”) of the Colorado River! Can’t make the walk? Here’s what to do.
Early afternoon: Tour Antelope Canyon. This world-famous slot canyon is on the photographic “bucket list” of every traveler to Northern Arizona, and deservedly so. Its surrealistic colors and shapes must be seen to be believed. You’ll need to decide ahead of time whether to tour Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. The walk through Upper Antelope Canyon itself is 100 yards and flat pretty much the whole way. A newly constructed exit ramp consisting of a short staircase and a network of metal walkways back to the tour vehicle parking area adds approximately a one-half mile onto your adventure. Three (3) Antelope Canyon tour companies depart directly from to the Tribal Park Entrance on Highway 98. Two (2) meet at their respective offices in downtown Page, AZ. Lower Antelope Canyon is a bit more physical, requiring some stair climbing and simple boulder scrambling. For Lower, you must drive to the Tribal Park Entrance Gate directly. Whichever branch of Antelope Canyon you choose to tour, you’ll need to book a tour well in advance of your arrival. This attraction is becoming more popular – and crowded – every year. If the prospect of sharing a confined space with all those people doesn’t thrill you, or Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out, consider doing an Antelope Canyon Alternative Tour which will take you to slot canyons that are every bit as beautiful as Antelope, but far less populated OR check Antelope Canyon Now for last minute availability.
Depending on the time of year, your preference and Antelope Canyon tour availability, these activities can easily be done in reverse order as well. During the summer months, visiting Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise offers cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
Did we forget that you had to eat at some point? Not at all! Page, AZ has a diverse array of restaurants to choose from, both familiar franchises and independently owned. For those who choose to tour Antelope Canyon directly from the Tribal Park Entrance Gate on US98, grab a hearty, hand-made sandwich to go from the Deli at Big Lake Trading Post, or sit down to a relaxing lunch or dinner with a view that’s off the hook at the Sandbar Restaurant at Antelope Point Marina.
In the town of Page itself, you can take your pick of burgers to sushi and everything in between! The Grand Circle Grille, located in the historic Sanderson Building, offers up delicious American food, large portions, and reasonable prices for lunch or dinner, with occasional live music. For a totally different dining experience with an extra helping of local history, dig into a plate of sushi, a piping hot bowl of miso ramen, or a light traditional Japanese bento box at New York Teriyaki. This unique eatery happens to be built inside the Canyon King, a retired paddleboat that logged many tours on Lake Powell in its heyday.
What a day it’s been, and you’re just getting started. Go to your Page, Arizona hotel or vacation rental and get a good night’s sleep. Be sure to set your alarm. In Page, AZ, the fun starts early in the morning!
Day 2
Sunrise (optional): Many of you like to start your day back home with a brisk walk or jog to get the blood pumping. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with your exercise routine, and do a little sightseeing to boot! The Page Rim View Trail is a 10-mile dirt track that encircles Manson Mesa (the site Page, AZ was originally built on). Popular with local walkers, runners and cyclists, it is manageable for adults and children who are at least moderately fit. It offers spectacular views of Lake Powell (though no lake access), and for those visiting in springtime, a radiant display of colorful wildflowers. Once on the trail, you are able to exit it at several points along the way. You are by no means obligated to do the full 10 miles! Also, it is completely exposed to the elements, so water and sun protection are a must, as is appropriate footwear.
Be sure to fuel up for your busy day with a good breakfast. Some Page, AZ hotels may include continental or cooked-to-order breakfast in their room rates. Those staying at vacation rentals or accommodations with full kitchens have the freedom to do their own cooking. Favorite breakfast spots in Page, AZ include the Ranch House Grille, Canyon Crepes Cafe, and Hot & Sweet Donut & Coffee Shop.
Option 1 – 6:15 AM: Check in at Wilderness River Adventures for the Horseshoe Bend Half Day Float Trip. This leisurely raft trip, which takes place on a silky-smooth 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River through the only remaining intact section of Glen Canyon, is safe for children as young as 4. Putting in at the base of the massive Glen Canyon Dam, you’ll coast through Horseshoe Bend (be sure to wave to the people gazing down at you from the overlook!), stop at Petroglyph Beach where you can take a cool dip in the river, marvel at centuries-old etchings in the canyon walls left by Ancestral Puebloan people, or munch on a bag lunch purchased at one of the local grocery stores or restaurants. After pulling off the river at Historic Lees Ferry, you’ll board a motorcoach and be dropped off back in Page at approximately 11:30 AM.**
Grab lunch if you desire, then head over to the Glen Canyon Conservancy Information Center (formerly the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum) to learn more Glen Canyon, the Colorado River, Lake Powell, and the ongoing controversies about land and water conservation that continue to this day. You can also examine relief maps of Lake Powell, and shop for mementos of your visit for the folks back home.
Option 2 – 6:30 AM: Meet at the Public Launch Ramp of Antelope Point Marina for Hidden Canyon Kayak’s Antelope Canyon Waterside tour. This 4-hour land and water combination tour will immerse you in the beauty of Lake Powell and the complexity of Antelope Canyon in a way that can only be experienced by small watercraft. Your certified tour guide will guide you through towering sandstone cliffs until you reach the northernmost portion of Antelope Canyon. From there, you’ll begin an incredible hike through the section of the slot canyon just before it joins Lower Antelope Canyon. This tour is suitable for those of all levels of physical fitness, including those who have never kayaked before! Tour price includes all kayak equipment and dry bags to store valuables. After your tour, enjoy lunch or an early dinner at Antelope Point Marina, or at your choice of chain or independent restaurants in Page, AZ.
Next, it’s time to hit the wave. Not The Wave, the one that everybody and their sibling wants a permit for – we’re talking about The “New” Wave! Located a short drive past the Western flank of the Glen Canyon Dam, this easy-to-follow cairned trail, which doesn’t require a permit to enjoy, will take you into a small but interesting cluster of rock formations, some bearing a resemblance to that Wave, others not so much. Radio Tower Rock is one of many unique sandstone features you’ll encounter. Just be sure you’re not accidentally parking in someone’s campsite. Beehive Campground is right next door to the trailhead.
In the mood for more fun and exploration? Go back across the Glen Canyon Dam and take another easy but fun hike to the Hanging Gardens. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a stalwart colony of ferns, mosses, and flowers, surviving on the precious drops of water that trickle through a crack in the sandstone walls in an isolated alcove. Time/desire permitting, you can also walk across the Glen Canyon Dam and Steel Arch Bridge for an unobstructed view of the 700′ chasm and the Colorado River below!
Head back to your hotel, kick back, and reflect on your day’s adventures, or discover a new place for dinner. If you’re still feeling perky towards the day’s end, take the short drive off the mesa to the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, also known as the “White House” to enjoy sunset. Or, kick up your feet to some live music at State 48 Tavern, Gone West Family Restaurant (formerly Ken’s Old West), Big John’s Texas BBQ, or the Dam Bar.
Hit the sack, sleep in if you want. You deserve it!
A few last notes: this suggested trip plan is designed for Page, Arizona’s peak travel season of late spring through early fall. Due to extreme heat typical of this time period, you don’t want to be out on the water in the blazing afternoon sun if you can possibly avoid it. If you happen to be traveling in early spring or late fall, you can flip the order of these activities around and still be comfortable, for example, on Day 2, maybe hit Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon in the morning, then do the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip or Kayak Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon. Keep in mind, also, that many of these activities are offered seasonally. If you’re visiting in the winter months, water-based activities most likely won’t be running at all, or would require a certain number of passengers to guarantee operation. Last but not least, any tour, food & beverage, lodging, or retail establishment in Page, AZ, may require masks or face coverings to enter, or operate at reduced capacity to facilitate social distancing should COVID-19 remain a concern.
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So here it is, Day 3, and time to head to your next destination, like Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, or maybe back to Phoenix, AZ, or Las Vegas, NV. We hope you’ve had fun! If you’ve followed these suggestions, and maybe done a little “mixing and matching,” the last 48 hours will have certainly been memorable ones. But, that doesn’t mean the fun is over until you hit your next park. Here are just a few ideas for some “bonus activities” to add on to your list as you leave Page, AZ for the next phase of your vacation:
On US89 as you head toward Bryce, Zion or St. George:
- The Big Water Visitor Center: located 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ over the Utah border on US89, this small but impressive facility features locally-excavated dinosaur bones, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and award-winning paleontology and geology displays.
- The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: at mile marker 19 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 you’ll find a moderate 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to a Mars-like landscape of whimsical hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities. Don’t be fooled by what looks like the end of the trail; a short rock scramble leads to the main hoodoo garden.
- Kanab, Utah: once the on-location darling of Western movie producers, Kanab, Utah is a charming small town with plentiful shopping and dining opportunities. Locals and visitors alike are partial to the Rocking V Cafe and Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant.
On US89 heading toward Flagstaff, Sedona or Phoenix:
- The Gap Trading Post: if you’re into Old West trading posts, but prefer those that are more “real” trading post than tourist trap, pop into The Gap Trading Post just 45 miles South of Page on US89. Still an active commerce center, albeit a low-key one, you can purchase Navajo textiles, jewelry and pottery, or a cool beverage to refresh you for the drive ahead.
- Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks: 20 miles South of the Gap Trading Post, take a slight Eastern detour off US89 to AZ160. A few miles before you get to Tuba City, you’ll find an unassuming sign advertising free parking. Here you can see fossilized dinosaur tracks, eggs and dung. The jury is still out on the latter two; the former, though, is obviously the real deal. This area is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, so you must have an authorized representative escort you to the track site. There is no charge, technically, but gratuities are appreciated.
- Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments: Double your pleasure, double your fun, two cool monuments are better than one! Just North of Flagstaff, Arizona, these are actually two separate monuments connected by a convenient loop drive. Wupatki showcases the remains of an ancient, and surprisingly expansive Ancestral Puebloan Village with some unusual features, including a multi-story complex and a ball court. Sunset Crater is a dormant cinder cone that last erupted approximately 800 years ago, which, according to geologists, seemed like yesterday.
Do you have anything to add to this list? We’d love to hear about it! Feel free to write us in the comments, or visit our companion sites:
‘Til next time, good luck and happy traveling!
227 Responses
Hi,
We are planning a 5 day trip flying to las vegas with 4yr & 11 yr boys in April, definitely want to go to antelope & grand canyon, would really appreciate any suggestion so as to best utilize the time & enjoy the drive.
Thanks much.
Hi Deepak and thank you for visiting!
With 5 days to work with, you can certainly see a lot in this area, starting with the Grand Canyon.
On Day 1, drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, which is about a 4.5 hour drive. Plan on spending the night either in Grand Canyon Park Village or Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South. How To Book A Grand Canyon Hotel
Day 2, drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, which takes about 2.5 hours if you drive direct, but that’s unlikely to happen as there are many points of interest at which to stop along the way, including Grand Canyon Viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim Drive, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, various kiosks where Navajo Tribe members sell jewelry and other wares, the “Cut” scenic overlook, just to name a few. Horseshoe Bend is located just a few miles South of Page, so you can easily hit it on your way into town. Spend the night in Page.
Day 3, tour Antelope Canyon, and take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. For Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to determine whether to visit the Upper or Lower branch. In a nutshell, Upper is easy, manageable for just about everyone; Lower is more physical, requiring some stair climbing and boulder stepping. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon . Spend the night in Page again.
Day 4, drive from Page to Zion National Park, which takes about 2 hours. Maybe stop at the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool trail for a brief hike. After doing some sightseeing in Zion National Park, then drive to Springdale, Utah, a town on the Western border of the park, overnight there, then drive back to Las Vegas the next day. Springdale, Utah hotels The trip from Springdale, UT to Las Vegas, NV typically takes about 3 hours.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels to your family!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Thank you very much for taking the time and providing valuable suggestions, this is extremely helpful. We were also thinking to take the Hoover dam tour on the way to Grand canyon, do you think it would be possible?
Our flight from Las vegas is on day 6 so, any suggestion as to visiting Bryce canyon before heading to vegas for an overnight stay? or anything else we should do?
Thanks.
Hi again, Deepak!
Unfortunately, children under the age of 8 are not permitted on the tours that go down into the Power Plant, but you certainly might take the time to stop at the Visitor Center if you desire. Plan on spending at least an hour at the Dam.
If you want to add Bryce Canyon onto your itinerary, I would advise going there from Page (which is about a 2.5 hour drive), staying overnight either in the park or one of the gateway communities (Bryce Canyon hotels), then heading to Zion, overnighting in Springdale, then heading to Las Vegas from there.
Have fun!
Alley 🙂
Hi Lisa,
Glad those helped! Good call on making a reservation in Page, and on eating at In-N-Out Burger. They’re not available where I live either, and I miss them terribly LOL
RE: having dinner at El Tovar, guests of other hotels in the area can and should make reservations 30 days out. Call 928-638-2631 and ask to be transferred to x6432 when you’re ready. Dinner is the only meal they take reservations for, breakfast and lunch are first-come, first-served.
Have fun!
Alley 🙂
We are planning a trip for the end of June – early July and just came across your website and am finding it so very helpful. This was last minute so I know things are booking up like crazy! I was wondering what you thought of our itinerary so far and if you have any suggestions. We have older children 19 and 16.
Day 1 – Arrive PHX airport from Detroit (approximately 4-hour flight) at 9:37 am.
We are not sure if it would be too much to drive to Tunaysan after we eat lunch and rent a car or if we should stay the night in Phoenix and start in the morning?
Day 2 – Arrive at Grand Canyon and check in hotel. The only thing planned so far is a sunset Jeep tour at 5:30 and will spend the night in Tuyasan.
Day 3 – We definitely want to head to Page and see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend but don’t know if we should check out of the hotel in Tuyasan and get one in Page for the night and drive to Sedona the next day?
Day 4 – We have hotel reservations in Sedona available at 3:00 pm
Day 5 – Sedona
Day 6 – Sedona – checkout of hotel and head to PHX
Day 7 – Flight home from PHX at 12:00
I would really like to avoid checking in and out of hotels but if the travel is too much, I can do it!
Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions!
Hi Lisa, and thank you for visiting our site.
We’re glad that you’re finding it helpful as you plan your trip!
You definitely have a lot of questions, and areas where your itinerary can be “tweaked,” so, let’s get on with it 😉
Since you have “oz” in your e-mail address, I’m assuming you’re flying in from Australia? If so, then I’m also assuming that you’ll go through customs in Detroit or beforehand. One thing that hasn’t been established however, is will you have some “downtime” before flying into Phoenix to adjust to the different time zone, etc. If the answer is “no,” then I’d suggest spending the night in Phoenix and decompressing a bit before taking on the 4.5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon.
If you have had some time to get over your jetlag, etc., and if your flight from Detroit arrives either on time, or at least by early afternoon, then you might be able to swing the drive to Tusayan that night. The trip from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes about 4.5 hours if you drive direct, but that rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be sights that pique your interest and warrant a stop. If your day goes according to plan, you can certainly take the drive at a fairly leisurely pace since sunset occurs at about 7:45 PM local time. In-N-Out Burger just North of Phoenix makes for a good stop for lunch, or if you can hold off a bit longer, maybe have lunch in Flagstaff.
After checking into your hotel in Tusayan, think about catching the IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.” The final showing of the film is at 7:30 PM, so if your day has gone according to schedule, you should be able to make that no problem. In Tusayan, there are other opportunities for shopping, etc.
On your 2nd day, plan on getting up early, driving into the park and exploring Grand Canyon Village. Visit the Canyon View Information Plaza, maybe take a walk along the easy, paved Rim Trail, then hop on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Shuttle and going out to those viewpoints. Lunch at El Tovar might be a nice treat for your family, but try and arrive there before 11:30 AM as that’s when the Grand Canyon Railway train pulls in from Williams and from then on, rimside restaurants will be slammed. Head back to Tusayan, catch the Sunset Jeep Tour (which is a lot of fun), then head for bed.
On Day 3, check out of the hotel in Tusayan and head for Page. Here again, the drive, if you go direct, takes about 2.5 hours, but you’ll likely end up taking more along the lines of 4-5 hours because there are many Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at on the trip. Maybe have a late breakfast/early lunch at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, then check into your hotel. Time permitting, and with an early start, you could do an Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon. Otherwise, plan on touring the following morning, then make the drive to Sedona. As you can see, we recommend that you overnight in Page, AZ instead of doing a day trip from the Grand Canyon due to the distance and points of interest on the way. Page, AZ Hotels The drive to Sedona from Page will then take approximately 3-3.5 hours.
HOWEVER — if you want to avoid all that driving, there is a way you can accomplish what you want in Page, plus a bit of a “bonus:” keep your hotel in Tusayan and take the Scenic Canyon River Adventure tour. This is a dynamite full-day package tour that starts with a sunrise airplane flight over the Eastern portion of the Grand Canyon, including Horseshoe Bend, a tour of Antelope Canyon, and a half-day float trip on the Colorado River. If you do this, then you can just go directly to Sedona the following day, which is about a 2-hour drive.
It’s good that you’ve planned 3 days in Sedona, there’s a ton to see and do there, and most visitors end up wishing they had a week — or planning a return trip 😉
Hope that helps and that you and your family have a wonderful vacation!
Alley
Alley,
I can’t thank you enough for your suggestions for our trip! We are actually from Michigan so I don’t think we will be too jetlagged for the car trip from Phoenix to Tuyasan on Day 1. The plan to stop at In-N-Out Burger sounds good to me since it’s not available here! 🙂
I’ve been reading a lot about eating at El Tovar, so I was pleased to see you mentioned it for Day 2. I will try and get reservations there when they are available.
Day 3 sounds great and I’ve adjusted my hotel reservations to spend the night in Page! I will be making reservations for an Antelope Canyon tour right after I finish typing this!
Thanks so much for taking time to read my questions and provide suggestions!
Warm regards,
Lisa
Hi Alley!
We are planning a trip to the Page area in October 2018 and need some specific help in planning where to fly in to.
We covered Vegas and Zion this past spring and don’t want to do that area again.
Spots we’d like to cover include Page, Grand Canyon North Rim, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, etc.
Since my friend Lee McMichael, was tourism director for Page for a couple of years we’d like to spend at least 48 hours there.
What would you recommend as a fly in point and 8-day intinerary say like October 6-13?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Rick,
Thank you for your visit, October is a great time of year to travel in this area!
For the itinerary you are proposing, Las Vegas or Salt Lake City would be the best airports to fly into. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that visitor facilities at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon close October 15th, and if you haven’t made lodging reservations there yet, you’re quite likely to find them sold out.
Another thing: your itinerary is overly ambitious given an 8-day timeframe.
A more realistic itinerary would be something like this:
Day 1 – Arrive @ Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon North Rim (4.5 hours), overnight either at one of the North Rim Lodges or Kanab, Utah Grand Canyon North Rim Hotels
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon North Rim to Page (2.5 hours), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight.
Day 3 – Take 90-minute airplane sightseeing tour over Monument Valley, and/or Lake Powell boat tour or Glen Canyon Float Trip, overnight in Page.
Day 4 – Drive from Page to Bryce Canyon (approximately 3 hours), take day hike or tour in the area, overnight in Bryce Canyon area.
Day 5 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef (2.5 hours), overnight in Capitol Reef area.
Day 6/7 – Drive from Capitol Reef to Moab (2.5 hours), visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Day 8 – Drive from Moab to Salt Lake City (3.5 hours), fly home.
This itinerary has you flying into Las Vegas and out of Salt Lake City for the sake of convenience, but price-wise, it may be somewhat inconvenient if rental car drop-off fees are too high, so definitely check into that before committing. If you do opt to fly into and out of SLC, note that the drive from SLC to Grand Canyon North Rim will be significantly longer, about 6.5 hours instead of 4.5.
Note also that I’ve left Monument Valley off the itinerary since it is “tourable” from Page and would allow for more quality time around the Lake Powell area.
Hope that helps. Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful site. I have been reading all the articles as I am planning for our upcoming trip this June to the Southwest. I will be with my husband and 2 boys (age 9, 15). We have never been to the area and are taking 3 weeks in a campervan going to Zion, Bryce, Page, Monument Valley, 4 corners (boys insist), Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Death Valley,, Yosemite, and Alcatraz. We will end up in Page 6/9-10 Any general advice is most welcome, but my specific question has to do with the Page tours you recommend. I am thinking the ww.horseshoebendslotcanyonadventures.com you recommend for one day and then being on the water a second day. At first I was thinking Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours but then reading this post was wondering if we should do Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. What is your advice with the kids? Also do you have any recommendations for campgrounds? Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!
Hi Michele and thank you for your compliments!
First off, I’d recommend taking Petrified Forest and Death Valley off the list. In June, these areas are simply too hot to be enjoyed IMO. Take the time you might have spent there and allocate it to Sedona. Plenty to see and do, including Slide Rock State Park (natural waterslide), simple but scenic hiking and lots more.
If you’re going to 4 Corners, be aware that you won’t spend much time there as there’s not much to it, but you’ll pass by Monument Valley, and we’d definitely recommend spending at least a day there.
As for water-based activities in Page, the float trip is nice, and the kids are given an opportunity to swim (although the water is REALLY cold!). The kayak tour is more “hands-on” and your boys might find that more enjoyable than sitting on a raft for 3 hours.
Camping is another thing you might want to rethink in Page. Nights don’t get that cool in June, and you might appreciate having some A/C. If your campervan is powered, you might want to stay at an RV park that has electrical hook-ups. In Page, those are the Wahweap/Stateline RV Park & Campground at Lake Powell Resort, which is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (entrance fees required) and the Page/Lake Powell Campground in the town of Page itself. Page, Arizona RV & Camping Options
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Your page has been extremely helpful in planning an upcoming vacation my friends and I want to take to the Grand Canyon/Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend & possibly Zion. I was wondering if I could run my itinerary by you and get your opinions/suggestions. We are going to be travelling in the mid-end of May and have 4 full days.
Option 1:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Drive to Page for Lower Antelope Canyon Tour, Kayak Lake Powell, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 3: The Wave/Zion
Day 4: The Wave/Zion, Fly out of LAS
*With this option, we are not sure if we will be able to see the Wave but we have heard of the “New Wave”?
Option 2:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Drive to Page, Kayak on Lake Powell
Day 3: Lower Antelope canyon tour, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 4: Drive to Zion Utah, Fly out of LAS
*Can we do Zion in one day? We would try to take an overnight flight home in order to do so, but it seems like a lot of driving in one day?
Option 3:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Breakfast in canyon, Drive to Page, Kayak on Lake Powell
Day 3: Antelope canyon tour, drive to Utah side of Lake Powell, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 4: Sedona/Flagstaff, Fly out of PHX
Since we are so close to Utah we really want to see the state if at all possible!
Have heard great things about Zion. Any travel tips you have would be greatly appreciated!!
Hi Alex, and thanks for your compliments!
Before you commit to a plan that involves you flying into one airport and out of another, I would strongly recommend checking out costs of rental car fees. Due to the relative remoteness of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, and major cities being somewhat few and far between, most rental car outlets charge rather hefty surcharges for dropping a vehicle anyplace other than where you picked it up.
The “great things” you heard about Zion are absolutely true! What’s more, it’s a huge park that deserves 2 days or your time in order to do it justice. Keep in mind though that if you’re not staying inside the park, you will be required to catch a shuttle out of the town of Springdale, UT in order to explore it, which isn’t a detriment necessarily because we recommend staying in Springdale if Zion comes at the end of your trip since it puts you closer to Las Vegas (~3 hours).
Regarding The Wave, chances are, you’re not going to get there. If you haven’t gone through the application process for an on-line permit, which took place in January, you’ll have to try for a walk-in permit the day prior to when you wish to hike. The walk-in permit process takes place in Kanab, UT, so you’d have to plan to be there first thing in the morning (8:00 AM local time IIRC), then when you fail to get a permit (which, statistically, is the most likely outcome), figure out other things to do that day. The “New” Wave would probably be a more realistic option. It’s a small but interesting cluster of rock formations, some of which bear a slight resemblance to The Wave but are more “monochromatic” in color. Here’s a map of how to get there from Page. Remember, though, that the road is unmaintained, and prone to washing out in storms, so be careful where you drive and if signs are posted stating “no admittance,” obey them.
So, long story short, an itinerary we’d recommend is:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at GC
Day 2: Drive from GC to Page early, hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, take Antelope Canyon tour or Lake Powell Kayak tour, overnight in Page
Day 3: Take Antelope Canyon or Lake Powell Kayak Tour, hit “New” Wave, drive to Zion, overnight Springdale, UT
Day 4: More sightseeing in Zion if desired, fly out of Las Vegas
Are you sure you can’t arrange for a Day 5 in there somewhere? LOL
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi , I stumbled across your website today and found your post very helpful for planning our upcoming honeymoon visit to the US. I am planning to spend about 5-6 days in the Utah/Arizona. I wish to visit the lower antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, monument valley and zion national park. Also, I saw that there is a nice glamping in moab (under canvas moab) in the dessert area.
i have two options here :
option A – (do you think there will be too much of driving for option A?)
day 1 Vegas -Zion national park
day 2 under canvas moab (have to do more research for places to go in this area)
day 3 Monument valley (have to do more research for places to go in this area) – page
day 4 Lower Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend
day 5 back to Vegas
Option B-
day 1 Vegas -Zion national park, under canvas Zion
day 2 Zion national park – page
day 3 Lower Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend – Vegas
Could you please give me some advice on it?
Thank you very much !
Dear Jessnom,
Hello and congratulations on y our upcoming wedding!
A couple of things that stick right out about your itinerary:
1. The Grand Canyon is missing. Was that an unintentional oversight, or have you already been there?
2. Trying to include Moab in this itinerary is probably a little too ambitious. It’s a 3+ hour drive from Las Vegas to Zion, and then a 5 hour drive from Zion to Moab. Another consideration? Zion warrants at least 2 days of your time, and Moab deserves at least 3 days. With 5-6 days total to work with, using Las Vegas as your starting point, I’d recommend trimming Moab off the list this time around and save it for another visit, and possibly Monument Valley, too.
So, with 5-6 days to work with, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 – fly to Vegas, spend the night
Day 2 & 3 – Zion National Park
Day 4 – Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon)
Day 5 – Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 6 – Back to Las Vegas
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon and have no inclination to go back, you could always take it off the itinerary, substitute Monument Valley, than save Zion for the end of your loop.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
I’ll be in Tucson on 2/24 to speak on a panel and would like to see the canyon’s while in the state as I have never been and have always wanted to go! The plan would be to fly into Tucson and fly out of Phoenix as I believe that’s the best option, right?
But, and correct me if I’m wrong, this seems to be off season so a tour would not be available? If so, is there anything I can do at this time?
Appreciate any help!
Hi Ashley and thank you for visiting our site today!
Actually, Tucson is only about a 90 minute drive from Phoenix. If you were planning to rent a car anyway, I would recommend just flying into and out of Phoenix.
Speaking of Phoenix, winter and spring are actually peak season in that area. As for Northern Arizona, it’s a little slower, but not much. Most tours are operating, with the exception of water-based activities such as the Colorado River Float Trip and Lake Powell Boat Tours. It’s a little too cold for those.
Hope that’s the information you were looking for!
Have a wonderful trip and good luck with your speaking engagement.
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, You are amazing and superb in providing information on Arizona. I’m planing on a trip to Antelope and after reading your blog i have figured out where and what i can do.
I’m plaining for 7 days trip in 28th Jan. Take a flight to Las Vegas and spend 2 night there then rent a car to Grand Canyon South rim for 2 nights then head to Page for 3 nights and head home from Page airport.
But i have problem finding car rental to drop off the car at Page airport.
Any suggestion on my trip or what other options do i have ?
Thank You
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I’m gonna jump in on this question just because I happen to be staring at my e-mail when it came in 🙂 Maybe Alley will have something to add afterwards.
There is only one national car rental company in Page, which is Avis. If you make your reservation through them, you should be fine. If you have trouble booking it online, you might want to give the local page office a call at (928) 645-2024.
Happy travels!
Ryan
Hey Stephanie!
Unlike Ryan, I rarely find myself up and about at 2:40 am, but I will chime in on your question 🙂
As Ryan states, the only car rental outlet at the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) is Avis. So if you reserve through them, you should be able to pick your car up in Vegas and drop it off in Page. HOWEVER, be prepared to pay a bit extra for doing so.
Due to the distance between major cities in the Southwest US, many rental car companies impose sometimes hefty surcharges for dropping a vehicle off anywhere other than it was picked up from. Even if you drop it off at the same company’s outlet in another city, the originating city where the car was picked up is eventually going to want it back, and for them, that costs money. So you may want to compare costs and see if you’d be better off simply dropping your rental car back off in Las Vegas and flying home from there.
The drive from Page to Las Vegas takes approximately 4.5 hours one way, comparable to the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Another thought: since you’re visiting during the off-season, some activities in the Page area are going to be on temporary hiatus, namely boat tours and airplane and helicopter tours. You might be hard-pressed to fill 3 days. Consider altering your plans so that you just spend 2 nights in Page, then go on to Zion National Park (about 90 minutes-2 hours away), explore around a bit, then spend your last night in Springdale, UT. That’ll put you only 2.5-3 hours from Las Vegas (sorry, a 2.5-3 hour drive is considered relatively short to us here, hence the “only” qualifier!) on your last travel day.
Hope that helps too – and happy traveling!
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much for the suggestions. It is great and now i can cover Zion 🙂
I stumbled across your website today and found many posts so very helpful for planning our upcoming visit to Page. Thanks for all the guidance!