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 So much great info. Would love some suggestions. Hopefully we will be able to travel in October as we are flying into SLC on October 15 and departing LAS on October 21, 2020. Planning on arriving at 11:00 AM and driving to Moah, UT staying two nights will visit Arches and then depart for Canyonland. Spend one night in that area (looking for suggetions) then drive to Antelope Canyon, book a tour visit and spend the night. Once done will head to either Bryce or Zion??? What would you suggest. Will have 2 days left. Other things to see? Spend longer in one of the areas. We will depart at 5:10 on Wed 10/21. The plan would be to drive from final place to LAS (don’t need to spend the night in Vegas…. Love to hear your suggestions… Thanks so much.
Hi Cheryl!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and you’ve chosen the best time of year to visit! Still, I’d recommend a few modifications tohelp you get the most out of it.
First off, since Arches and Canyonlands are situated so close together, you might as well stay a 3rd night in Moab, UT, for optimal convenience.
The trip to Page, AZ, the next day will take roughly 5-6 hours, but it’s a beautiful drive, so get an early start on the day! One stop we highly recommend is the Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park — it’s kind of like a “double” Horseshoe Bend, without the crowds. Since the drive will take you right through Monument Valley, plan to stop there, perhaps for lunch, and a stop at the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit inside the Kayenta, AZ, Burger King.
In Page, AZ, Antelope Canyon is a definite must, as is a visit to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Overlook. You might also consider combining your Antelope Canyon walking tour with a boat tour of its waterside. Book the two tours as a “bundle” for optimal convenience!
For the time you have leftover, I’d recommend giving that either to Grand Canyon South Rim or to Zion National Park. The Grand Canyon is an iconic destination that everyone should visit at least once! At the time of year you’re traveling, the South Rim is the only side that’s open. Las Vegas would then be ~4.5 hours away, longer if you stop at Hoover Dam before you get into town. Staying inside the park is most desirable, or Tusayan, AZ, just outside the park gates. Grand Canyon hotels
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon and take us up on the suggestion to visit Zion, it’s a huge area with a lot to see and do, and you’ll love it! If you stay in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, that will put you about 3-4 hours away from Las Vegas for the last leg of your trip. Time/desire permitting, you might get an early start on the day (beginning to see a pattern here? 😉 and visit the stunning Valley of Fire State Park on the way into town.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
awesome! this is extremely helpful thank you !!!!
3/19 – 3/21 Planning a trip to Antelope Canyon with my teenager, flying in and out of Phoenix. We can either fly Wednesday night or Thursday morning into Phoenix and want to fly home Saturday.
Looking for great recommendations of an itinerary, not limited to Antelope Canyon.
Hi Sarah,
Using Phoenix as your staging city, you can enjoy a wonderful weekend in Northern Arizona, not limited to just Antelope Canyon!
First off, I would recommend flying in on Wednesday. That will give you two full days for touring. If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, for example, you should definitely allot one of your days to it. The drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~5 hours. Spend the night at the park, if possible, or in Tusayan, 7-miles outside the park. Grand Canyon hotels
Then drive to Page, AZ, stopping at the over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, and taking a breakfast/brunch break at the world-famous Cameron Trading Post. Factoring in all the potential photo ops you’ll hit, you could easily spend half a day making a 150-mile drive. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, perhaps tour the Glen Canyon Dam also, then spend the night in Page, AZ.
The following morning, drive back to Phoenix (which is also ~5 hours from Page). Stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Time/inclination permitting, you might make a detour via the Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument Loop Drive, or swing through Sedona. In either case, that will extend your drive time by at least 2 hours, but the scenery alone makes it time well spent!
If Grand Canyon hotel and/or Antelope Canyon tour availability don’t cooperate with you hitting the Grand Canyon first, you can always flip-flop this itinerary around. Just make sure you do any and all driving during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife like to graze near the shoulders at night, which jacks up your risk of an accident. At the time of your visit, sunrise occurs shortly after 6:30 AM, and sunset takes place right around 6:30 PM.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
awesome! this is extremely helpful
Hi Ally
We would like to take our grandson (12 years) for his spring break trip from Scottsdale to Las Vegas, leaving on a Sunday and arriving in Las Vegas on Friday. We are hoping to do Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and since it looks as though we need to head to Utah to make our way to Las Vegas, add Bryce Canyon. Can you give me an idea of number of days to spend at each destination. Should we stay our first night in either Sedona or Flagstaff? Also what tours do you recommend.
Thanks for any recommendations.
Hi Linda,
How exciting for you and your grandson!
Departing out of Phoenix, and ending your vacation in Las Vegas, normally I’d recommend staying your first night in Sedona. Here’s the problem, though: Sedona is a stunning area with lots to see and do! You’ll wish you had more time there, along the lines of 3-4 nights minimum. Unfortunately, you don’t have that kind of time, so one night is better than nothing.
In light of that, here’s what I’d suggest:
Sunday: depart Phoenix for Sedona (~2.5 hour drive), Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour in afternoon, overnight in Sedona
Monday: depart Sedona for Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), see IMAX movie “Grand Canyon The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan, overnight at Grand Canyon
Tuesday: depart Grand Canyon South Rim for Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, overnight in Page, AZ
Wednesday: Visit Horseshoe Bend, depart for Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Thursday: Depart Bryce Canyon for Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT
Friday: Depart Zion for Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hour drive due to construction taking place on I-15), detour through Valley of Fire State Park prior to arrival in Las Vegas
As you can see, this itinerary has you packing up and driving every single day, which is less than ideal for obvious reasons. If you can possibly free up another couple of days, that would allow you to take things at a more relaxed pace. If you can manage this, give an extra day to Sedona and one to Zion.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley! Thanks so much for providing such cool intel. I plan to hike around Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Grand Canyon, etc with a group of other 50 year olds. We’re pretty active, but not looking for difficult terrain. We like to hike, but would like to rent ATVs too at some point. I think the tipi idea sounds cool, for a night. The ranch talked about in comments sounds fun too. We’re planning a possible June trip. Any suggestions or itenerary would be cool. We’re from SD, and the cheapest way to arrive for us, I think, is to fly into Vegas, where we’ll rent a car. I’ve seen some of the Pinterest suggestions for hitting all the state parks, etc. but I love how you respond to questions with such practical logistical knowledge! We’ll be in the area for about 6 days. Thanks in advance!
Hey Monique!
Thanks for your compliments 🙂
Using Las Vegas as your start/end point, with 6 days to work with, you could do something along the lines of our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary, but cut out Monument Valley. There might still be a way for you to see it, if desired… more on that in a minute.
If renting an ATV or UTV is on your wish list, one possible place to do this would be Page, AZ. Epic Adventure Rides offers both guided tours and straight rentals for one day or more. ATV & Jeep Adventures, based in the St. George, UT, area offers similar services in the Zion National Park area.
The order in which you hit the various attractions will be contingent on hotel availability on your route, particularly at Grand Canyon South Rim, and Antelope Canyon tour availability.
A “classic” National Park loop itinerary, using Las Vegas as your starting and ending point, would go something like this:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~4.5 hour drive, optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in the many stops you’ll make at viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, stop for breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post , afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3: Sunrise visit to Horseshoe Bend, ATV/UTV rental or tour in Page, AZ, 2nd night in Page
Day 4: Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), optional hike to Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 5: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale or Hurricane, UT Good hikes in Zion
Day 6: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hour drive due to road construction taking place on I-15 over the summer), overnight in Las Vegas, fly home next morning
In June, weather is going to be hot in most locations, so any “labor-intensive” activities should be done during the cooler morning hours for optimal safety and comfort.
If you find that hotel or tour availability is more conducive to flip-flopping the above itinerary, feel free to do so, you won’t miss a thing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, we would be flying in and out of Phoenix. Do you think the following itinerary would work in terms of the logistics? What do we do if it is a rain day?
March 26 – arriving in Phoenix at 1430. Drive to Sedona. Is Flagstaff a reasonable place to stay over for a couple nights? Hotel in Sedona is quite expensive
March 27 – Sedona (assuming staying over at Flagstaff)
March 28 – Sedona. Then drive to Page by 1500h. Staying over at Page
March 29 – Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon. Is there time for Lake Powell before driving to Bryce Canyon? What is the latest time we should leave Page?
March 30 – Bryce Canyon. Staying over at Bryce Canyon
March 31 – leave early for Grand Canyon South Rim. I am not sure if we can find reasonable accommodation at Grand Canyon
April 1 – Grand Canyon, then drive to Scottsdale in the afternoon. Overnight at Scottsdale
April 2 – return flight.
I would be very much interested in knowing what you think. Thank you.
Hi Lynn!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. Nevertheless, I’d recommend making a couple of minor adjustments for maximum enjoyment and efficient use of your time.
RE: using Flagstaff, AZ, as a “base camp” for visiting Sedona, it’s OK, it’s ~1 hour drive each way. The main thing to remember is to keep a close watch on the time. You don’t want to do any of that drive in the dark, especially the section through Oak Creek Canyon. Roads in Northern Arizona in general are very dimly lit, a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Oak Creek Canyon in particular is very twisty and narrow, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife can increase your chances of having an accident. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, with cell service that’s spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at around 6:15 AM, and sunset takes place at about 6:45 PM.
On March 28th, where you propose leaving Sedona for Page by 3:00 PM, I’d suggest leaving a bit earlier. The trip from Sedona to Page, AZ, typically takes ~3 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. You shouldn’t count on doing that because the drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Just North of Flagstaff, you have the opportunity to take the Sunset Crater Volcano/Wupatki-Lomaki Ruins Loop Drive, which will add another 2 hours to your trip time if you do it. You should also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Cameron Trading Post. That’s a good stop for a late lunch/early dinner, or at least for a leg stretch/bathroom break/souvenir shopping. There are also some good Chinle formation views North of Cameron; that’s the rock formation that gives the Painted Desert its name. So as you can see, a 3-hour drive can easily take the better part of a day! Again, just make sure you get to Page, AZ, by 7:00 PM at the absolute latest.
On March 29th, visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (6:15 AM), then tour Antelope Canyon. As for whether there is “time for Lake Powell,” you could get a glimpse of it by bundling your Antelope Canyon hiking tour with a 1-hour boat tour of the waterside , or take a short detour on the Lakeshore Scenic Drive on the way to Bryce Canyon. If you do the latter, you’d have to pay the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee of $25/vehicle. If you’d rather not do that for such a short visit, plan on stopping at the Carl Hayden Visitors Center at Glen Canyon Dam or the Wahweap Overlook on your way out of town. The drive to Bryce Canyon from Page, AZ, typically takes ~2.5 hours, but here again, can easily be extended with stops at the Big Water Visitors Center to view award-winning dinosaur displays, or to hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail . The important thing to remember at the time of your visit is that Utah will be on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time while Page, AZ, will remain on Mountain STANDARD Time. This means that Bryce will be one hour ahead of Page, therefore you will “lose” an hour traveling from Page to Bryce (where sunset will occur shortly before 8:00 PM), then “gain it back” traveling from Bryce to the Grand Canyon. The absolute latest you should plan on leaving Page, AZ, is 4:00 PM Page time, but you’d have to drive straight through in that instance. If you want to enjoy the stops mentioned, you might try leaving at about 2:00 PM.
For Grand Canyon South Rim, it is always most desirable to stay inside the park, but you may be too late to make reservations there. If you find that to be the case, Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park gates, is your next best option for lodging, followed by Williams and Flagstaff. However, since this day is going to entail a long drive (~5-6 hours), try to get as close to the park as possible. Grand Canyon hotels To avoid backtracking through Page, AZ, consider making the short detour through Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry (see map)see map, maybe stop at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge for lunch or take a walk to the historic Lonely Dell Ranch site near Lees Ferry.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Do you need to save money or time during your stay in Page, Arizona? Don’t worry — you can experience some of the most breathtaking sights that the American Southwest has to offer by visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in a single day. Here’s an itinerary to help you spend a day experiencing the very best of the Canyon and Horseshoe Bend so you can have one of the most exciting day trips imaginable.
Alley,
This is an amazing tour suggestion! We are planning a girls trip (myself and three other women), flying into Las Vegas April 16th, we’re planning to stay the night there and get up early Friday morning to make the trek towards Page. We have booked a tipi stay the first night in Page to really get the full experience of the piece of the vast openness.
If we leave early Friday morning and head over, do you have any suggestions on what and where to stop on our way so we really get the most out of our trip? We will have all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to explore, so any additional recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Liz.
Hi Liz!
If I’m interpreting you correctly, you have one night’s lodging (tipi) reserved in Page, AZ, then the rest of your weekend is open? Your first priority should be to secure lodging for the rest of your trip. Mid-April coincides with the Spring Break holiday for many U.S. schools, so things will be busy.
On your travel day from Las Vegas, I’d recommend getting an early start and taking a short detour to Valley of Fire State Park. This is a stunning area, a relatively short drive out of Las Vegas, with rock formations that resemble the world-famous “Wave,” but don’t require a permit to visit! Stop for lunch in Kanab, Utah (the Rockin’ V Cafe is my personal favorite!), then look for the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trailhead near mile marker 19 on US89, mid-way between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ. This is a relatively easy but highly enjoyable little hike that will take you to more whimsical rock formations that look like they would be at home on another planet. Time/inclination permitting, you might also stop at the Big Water Visitors Center just before you cross the Utah/Arizona border. They have some award-winning dinosaur displays, including some that were excavated nearby. The drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ, takes ~4.5 hours to complete, wheels turning, no stops. But as you can see, you can easily extend that into a full day of sightseeing!
The following morning, plan to be up at the crack of dawn – again. You’ll quickly see that that’s how we roll in the American Southwest! Visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook just after sunrise to take advantage of thinner crowds and cooler temperatures. Then, take a tour of Antelope Canyon. This world-famous slot canyon is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, so advance reservations for a guided tour are an absolute must. There are several ways to go about it, including bundling your Antelope Canyon hiking tour with a boat tour of its waterside, where it joins with Lake Powell. Antelope Canyon Tour Bundles Spend a 2nd night in Page, and perhaps a 3rd, depending on what you decide to do next.
If you have not been to the Grand Canyon, here’s your perfect opportunity to make it off the bucket list: head to the South Rim after your visit to Page, AZ. Here again, Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but a more realistic figure is 3.5-4 when you factor in all the stops you’ll invariably end up making. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then head back to Las Vegas, which will take ~4.5-5 hours going direct, or you can extend the drive with stopovers at Route 66 mainstay Seligman, AZ (be sure to stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for a burger and a laugh), and/or Hoover Dam.
If you have already been to the Grand Canyon, or wish to save it for another trip, there are all sorts of places relatively close to Page, AZ, you can go to get the most out of your trip, including, but not limited to Monument Valley, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon. The key factor in determining where you actually go will be availability of lodging, or maybe lack thereof. Push comes to shove, however, you could simply base yourselves in Page, AZ, for all 4 days of your vacation and make day trips to the afore-mentioned areas. Monument Valley is a 2-hour drive (one way) from Page, Zion is ~90 minutes (OW), and Bryce is ~2.5 hours (OW).
As I had mentioned before, IMO, your first priority should be to get lodging booked for the remainder of your vacation if you haven’t done so already. April is the beginning of peak tourist season in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, and those who wing it may have to rough it! Bryce Canyon: Why Spontaneity Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley. Than you for you very informative website. We will be visiting Grand canyon and Page in March, flying into Phoenix/mesa airport, arriving at 4:50 PM on March 14.. We have reservations in Best Western premier grand canyon squire Inn in Tusayan that night. This means we will be on the road driving by sunset. . Is this advisable to drive at night from the airport to Tusayan? What time do you think we should start our visit to GC the next day? is parking an issue at GC? We pplan to hit Mather Point first.
Thank you
Hi Rachelle,
Driving at night is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possibility of deer, elk, and other wildlife being present. Sunset occurs at ~6:30 PM at the time of year you’re visiting and it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tusayan. Assuming your flight arrives on time, and you don’t experience any complications picking up your rental car, you would indeed be on the road around the time the sun goes down and, again, assuming no complications on the drive, arrive in Tusayan at 11:00-11:30 PM. Not to say that it can’t be done, but IMO a safer plan would be to spend the night in Phoenix and make the drive the following morning. Sunrise occurs at around 7:00 AM.
If you do decide to make the drive up the night of March 14th and begin your sightseeing the following day, it’s best if you were to hit the park entrance before 9:00 AM. Lines at the entrance gate tend to get backed up between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Parking can also be an issue, especially during the peak mid-day visitation hours. If you were to visit Mather Point first, you can no longer park at the overlook, but at the Canyon View Information Plaza directly across the street from it. You could simply leave your vehicle there and use the Village Loop and Hermit’s Rest Shuttles to get around the park. Or, you could concentrate your sightseeing on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where the majority of overlooks are open to private vehicles. If you are planning to travel to Page, AZ, to visit Antelope Canyon at any point on your vacation, you would have to drive that particular road out of the park anyway, in which case you should save your sightseeing of that section of the Grand Canyon for your travel day to Page. Hope that makes sense 🙂
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Thanks for your input. What if we spend the night in Flagstaff instead of heading straight to Tusayan on march 14th? That means we arrive in Phoenix area by 4:50 pm then drive to flagstaff for a shorter drive time. Then we leave flagstaff on the 15th early morning and proceed to grand canyon. Check in at Best western tusayan for the night.
March 16 -travel to Page, see horseshoe bend
march 17- see antelope canyon
Will the antelope canyon marina be open by then?
Thanks again
Hey again, Rachelle!
So sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry, I was actually working over the Thanksgiving weekend holiday!
Going as far as Flagstaff, AZ, on that first night is probably an OK compromise seeing as though Phoenix’s urban light dome extends fairly far North up I-17, plus interstate highways tend to be better illuminated than secondary roads.
Flagstaff, AZ, itself, however, is actually certified as a “Dark Sky” community, which means they make a concerted effort to keep light pollution to a minimum to preserve the natural quality of the night sky.
If you’re getting the sense that Northern Arizona is a different world, you’d be right!
Again, sorry for taking so long to answer your question. Do let us know how you get on!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
Your website so informative and super encouraging. Thank you very much. Made all my bookings based on your recommendations.
Day1: Upper Canyons, Canyon X and Horseshoe Bend
Day2: Waterhole Canyon Experience and drive to Grand Canyon.
Looking forward to the trip.
Happy Holidays!
Prasanna
Hi Prasanna,
Glad our website helped you plan your trip! Hope all goes well and that you, too, have a Happy Holiday season!
Alley 🙂