8 Things to Do in Page, Arizona plus 8 Day Trips for a Guaranteed Good Time

The American Southwest has some of the most beautiful landscapes and landforms that have been carved by wind and water over millions of years. Page, Arizona is a small town that encapsulates some of the best sites in Arizona and Utah. This blog lays out the best things to do in Page that you can do in a long weekend visit. But Page is fairly close to some of America’s other grand sites, so I have also listed 8 day trips you can take from Page if you want to extend your visit to a week or more!

Best Time to Visit Page, AZ

The best time for the things to do in Page is during the shoulder months of the summer season: April, May, September, and October. Temperatures during this time range from 60 to 80 degrees F. Summer months Arizona can be scorching hot with temperatures well over 100 degrees. Summer is also monsoon season where torrential downpours can cause flash floods closing a lot of the slot canyons in the area. Winters can be cold and snowy, but crowds are very light.

How to Get to Page, AZ

There are two major airports “close” to Page. I use quotes because “close” is relative, and each of the airports is around 4 hours away from Page. Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is about 4.5 hours away, and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is a little over 4 hours away. There are a couple closer regional airports: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and St. George Regional Airport (SGU). You can save a couple hours of driving time by flying into the regional airports instead of the major ones.

Where are the Things to Do in Page, AZ

Trip map created using Wanderlog, a road trip planner app on iOS and Android

What to Pack for Page, AZ

Water!! Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors! The visitor centers at each national park have water filling stations.
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
Chapstick with SPF – The air is dry, and you will need to moisturize your lips with SPF chapstick.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Women’s Swimsuits – One-Piece, Ruffle Neck Swimsuit, Two-Piece, High-Waisted Swimsuit, Two-Piece, Front Cross Bikini, One-Piece, Scoop Neck Swimsuit
Men’s Swimsuits – Surf Swim Trunks, Quick-Dry Swim Shorts
Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and lunch stuff cool in this cooler for your day trips.
Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool in the mornings and evening so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
Printed Maps/Directions – Cell service is spotty, so I recommend you print maps/directions or download offline maps to all hiking trails and parks you plan to visit.

Things to Do in Page, AZ

1. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is the epitome of gorgeous slot canyons and is likely the most iconic in the American Southwest. This is one of my favorite things to do in Page. This canyon is on Navajo land, and you must obtain a permit and a guide to access it. There are a few authorized tour operators you can book through to tour this magnificent canyon. The price is steep, but so worth it! The canyon is split into 2 sections: Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Dates do sell out, so it is best to plan and book your tour as quickly as possible.

Upper Antelope Canyon is a little more popular than Lower Antelope Canyon, not because it is more beautiful but because it is more accessible. Upper Antelope is an easy walk throughout the canyon. However, to access Lower Antelope, you have to descend ladders which can make it more difficult for some travelers. It is also a little longer hike to get to Lower Antelope than Upper Antelope.

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is midday between March and October. This is when the sunlight peers through the narrow canyon walls. This is the best time to see the bright orange, red, and purple hues of the tall sandstone curves.

2. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is yet another amazing view that can be discovered in Arizona. The hike from the parking lot is an easy 1.5-mile, roundtrip stroll. At the end of your walk, see views of the dark green Colorado River 1,000 feet below you where it carved a 270-degree bend in the red canyon resembling a horseshoe. This site is also a good place to watch the sunset, but you will likely have large crowds at that time. Check the Horseshoe Bend website for up-to-date entry fees, which are paid by vehicle type.

You can also book at tour of Horseshoe Bend and Secret Antelope Canyon. If you do this tour, you can forego the 1.5-mile walk to the bend because their guide vehicles will take you within 100 yards of a private overlook. As an added bonus, you get to tour Secret Antelope Canyon which is less crowded than its more popular sisters, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.

3. New Wave Trail

The New Wave Trail is a great alternative to The Wave Trail in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Wave is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, trail permit to get in the U.S. Only 20 permits a day are given which makes it nearly impossible. The great thing about The New Wave is you get to see the same type of rock formation without the hard to get permit and without the difficult hike. The New Wave Trail is only 1.3 miles and much easier to hike than its big brother. The drive to the trailhead is thick sand, so it might be a good idea to have a high clearance vehicle. If not, you’ll have to walk in from the Beehive Campground parking area.

4. Glen Canyon Dam and Overlook

Glen Canyon Dam holds back the Colorado River to create Lake Power and is the second highest concrete arch dam in America at 726 feet making this one of the best things to do in Page. In addition to storing water, the dam also creates hydroelectric power production for 7 different states. The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook takes you to the cliff’s edge. Spend as much time as would like exploring the plateau, Glen Canyon, and the Colorado River below.

After you get your fill of exploring the dam from the overlook, drive over the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Get an up close view of the dam and bridge from inside the visitor. You can also learn about the construction of the dam and the power that it generates. There is also a gift shop in the visitor center where you can buy souvenirs.

5. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Just on the other side of Glen Canyon Dam along Chains Road is the entrance to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There is lots of red rocks along the start of Lake Powell that you can explore and climb. There are also a few trails that you can hike in this area. The Hanging Garden is an easy 1.4 mile hike to a natural spring, and the Chains Trail is another easy hike that is 0.4 miles in length where you can see great views of the Colorado River. You can also cross over the dam and visit the Beehive Trail, which is a 2.0-mile, moderately difficult hike to impressive rock formations as well as pass The New Wave.

6. Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a reservoir created from the Colorado River after the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. The lake has since been a mecca for boating, hiking, and other recreational activities. Lake Powell is 254 square miles and is the second largest reservoir in the U.S. next to Lake Mead. You could spend days exploring the lake especially if you rent a houseboat.

7. Wahweap Recreation Area

The Wahweap Recreational Area is an area next to Lake Powell where you can get views of the Arizona and Utah landscapes as well as rent boats, houseboats, and jet skis at the marina. This area is managed by the National Park Service. A standard pass is $15-30 per vehicle, or you can get in “free” with your America the Beautiful annual pass. When visiting, make sure to stop at Wahweap Overlook, Navajo Mountain Viewpoint, and Wahweap Viewpoint for panoramic views of Lake Powell and the surrounding rock formations.

8. Shell Cave

The “secret” Shell Cave has been the latest discovery to go viral making the unique cave go social media crazy. The cave is a shallow carveout in the sandstone located on a small hill just behind the Shell station. The Shell station is located at the corner of Coppermine Road and AZ-98. This unique feature is one of the top things to do in Page. The walk to the cave is short but is moderately difficult due to the thick sand dune you have to climb to get there. But the walk is worth it!

Day Trips from Page, AZ

The 9 things to do in Page above can be accomplished in a long weekend. However if you want to extend your stay, there are several things you can do as a day trip from Page. Make Page your home base, and spend a week by adding day trips to some of the amazing places listed below.

Trip map created using Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and Android

1. Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Rainbow Bridge National Monument is extremely difficult to get to which is why I have never actually visited. It is one of the largest natural arches in the world at 275 feet wide and 290 feet high. There are only 2 ways to access the national monument: by boat or by hiking. If you visit by boat, you can do so by your private boat, rent a boat, or book a tour from the Wahweap Marina. Once docked at Rainbow Bridge, you will still need to access the bridge by hiking almost 1 mile one-way. If you visit by hiking instead of boating, it is a long, multi-day trek. There are 2 hiking trails to choose from, but both are on Navajo Tribal Lands which require permits.

2. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a massive national monument that you can spend days exploring. This park can be its own vacation destination. However, you can visit this park on a day trip from Page. The closest landform to Page is the Toadstool Hoodoos which is located just 30 minutes away. If you have a 4WD or high clearance vehicle, you can do a scenic drive on Smoky Mountain Road and Cottonwood Canyon Road.

3. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is located a little over an hour from Page and is home to one of the most coveted hiking permits in the country. If you are lucky enough to win the permit lottery for The Wave, you have to make a trip here. Even if you get to hike The Wave, you are in for a tough trail that is 6.6 miles long with over 1,200 feet in elevation gain.

If you are not lucky enough to win The Wave lottery, there are still plenty of hiking options within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. White Pocket Trail also has some wave-like formations and is 1.2 miles in length. You will likely need a 4×4 vehicle to access this trailhead via a long, sandy road on White Pockets Road (roughly 16 miles).

4. Grand Canyon National Park

The south rim of Grand Canyon National Park is located a little less than 2 hours from Page. You can easily spend a full day exploring the views of the giant canyon. Start the day by driving and stopping at overlooks on the Desert View Drive. Either hike the Rim Trail or drive along Southern Entrance Road to see the famous viewpoints like Mather Point and Yaki Point. You can also take the shuttle towards Hermit Rest making stops along the way. Be sure to stop at the many visitor centers and gift shops for some epic souvenirs.

The South Rim is the more popular of the two rims, but you can also visit North Rim from Page. The drive is just over an hour.

5. Sedona

Another day trip that could also be a long vacation destination in of itself is Sedona, Arizona. It takes about 3 hours to get to Sedona from Page. Sedona’s Uptown and the surrounding areas like Jerome and Cottonwood have amazing shopping. The stores are full of souvenirs and local art. Combine this with Sedona’s scenic drives, and you will have a full day. Consider driving Red Rock Scenic Byway, Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, Boynton Pass Road, and Airport Mesa Scenic Drive.

If you are looking for more outdoorsy activities, you can easily spend the entire day hiking. Some of the most epic trails in the Sedona area include Devil’s Bridge (3.9 mi), West Fork Trail (6.5 mi), Cathedral Rock (1.1 mi), and Soldiers Pass (4.8 mi). This list barely scratches the surface. For more things to do in Sedona, see The Best of Sedona.

6. Monument Valley

Monument Valley is an area on the border or Arizona and Utah with majestic sandstone rock formations unique to this area. Monument Valley was made famous in Forrest Gump when he decided to stop his cross-country run by saying “I am pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” This iconic view is located on US 163 near mile marker 13. Since Monument Valley is located on Navajo Nation Tribal Lands, you will need to purchase an entry fee for $8. The 17-mile scenic loop is on rough terrain with large sand dunes, so make sure your vehicle is capable of traversing the road. Motorcycles and RVs are prohibited.

7. Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located an hour and 45 minutes from Page and hosts 2 of the most epic hikes in America. One is Angel’s Landing (4.3 mi) which is a death-defying hike with 1,000 foot drop-offs on each side with the width expanding only a few feet in some areas. You must apply for a permit to hike Angel’s landing. If death-defying hikes are not your jam but you still want to hike a unique trail, try The Narrows. This trail takes you through the Virgin River between narrow canyon walls. Water shoes and hiking poles are a must to get through this epic hike. Other things to do in Zion include Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion-Mount Carmel Drive, Emerald Lakes Trail, and Zion Canyon Overlook Trail.

8. Bryce Canyon National Park

Located just 2.5 hours away, Bryce Canyon National Park is another amazing park you must visit as a day trip from Page. One must do is the 18-mile scenic drive through the park. Start at the furthest end and witness viewpoints of Rainbow Point and Natural Bridge. Make your way back to Bryce Amphitheater to see the greatest concentration of hoodoos in the park. Viewpoints along the amphitheater include Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. If you want to walk among the hoodoos, try the popular Queen’s Garden & Navajo Combination Loop (2.9 mi). Other hikes to try in Bryce Canyon include Mossy Cave Trail (0.9 mi) and Fairyland Loop Trail (7.9 mi).