Many people have not heard of Page, Arizona. It has become more popular in recent years due to the popularity of the Instagrammable Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Page is a tiny town of 7500 people located in Northern Arizona about 4 hours from Phoenix and 4.5 hours from Las Vegas. It was a great place for a girl’s weekend getaway or as part of an Arizona Road Trip. It had a good balance of outdoor activities and enough time to chill. We opted to spend a weekend in Page, Arizona which I felt was the perfect amount.
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Table of Contents
History of Page
Page, Arizona was originally Navajo land. In 1958, 24 square miles of Navajo land was received during a land exchange with the Navajo Nation. From this area, the small town of Page emerged. The area, originally named Government Camp, later became known as Page. Named after the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, John C. Page, this town grew after the Glen Canyon Dam was completed in the 1960s. In 1997 with the discovery of Antelope Canyon, the area became a popular tourist destination. Present-day, over 4 million people visit Page, Arizona a year.
Best Time to Spend a Weekend in Page, Arizona
The best time of year to spend a weekend in Page depends on what type of experience you want. October through March is a less busy time, but there are no light beams in the slot canyons. Avoid the summer months unless you can handle temperatures above 100 degrees. I opted to visit the beginning of September which was still too hot for my liking, but the crowds were not too much to handle.
How to Get to Page, Arizona
Page, Arizona is located in Northeastern Arizona. The city of Page has one very small airport that receives a few flights a day, mostly from Salt Lake City. These flights are more expensive and not frequent. Therefore, it is better to fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix. From Las Vegas, Page is about a 4 and a half-hour drive and a 4-hour drive from Phoenix. We opted to drive out for a weekend in Page from Phoenix due to having a friend who lives there.
Transportation Around Page for a Weekend
You will need to rent a car to get to around during a weekend in Page and also to get around the area. I recommend using Autoslash to look for a rental car as this site compares all the different rental car agencies.
Where to Stay in Page
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Page hotels here!
There are not a ton of hotel choices in Page, Arizona. The nicest hotel in the area is the Courtyard Marriott or the Best Western. Since there were 4 of us, we opted to stay at an Airbnb because it was more affordable. It was a great space and right in the middle of everything. Our spot was located about a 15-minute drive to each of the main attractions.
What to Do in Page, Arizona
A weekend in Page is the perfect amount of time to spend in this adorable little city. Opt to drive up Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Day 1
Visit a Slot Canyon
Cost: $50+
Hours: Summer Tours run 8am-4:30pm, Winter Tours run 9am-3pm
Start your weekend in Page with a tour of a slot canyon. All of the slot canyons in the area are run by the Navajo. Although the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are the most popular, there are plenty of other slot canyons to visit if you want fewer crowds. These include Canyon X, Waterholes Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (Secret Canyon). Note that with all slot canyon tours, you must have a guide. Visitors are not able to walk through them without a guide. Many of the canyons offer free admission for Native Americans.
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are two separate slot canyons run by the Navajo and the most popular options to see when spending a weekend in Page. Wind and flash floods created these canyons millions of years ago. Tours of Antelope Canyon book up quickly, so I recommend booking at least four months in advance. Remember you cannot visit without booking a tour.
Upper Antelope Canyon
The more popular option, Upper Antelope Canyon, is infamous for its light beams. This canyon is more accessible because there are no stairs to climb and the passageways are a bit wider. It takes about 30 minutes to ride out to the canyon, and then about 30 minutes to tour the canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is a great choice for groups with younger members or people with mobility issues.
Teacher Tip: Make sure to come between 11am and 1pm if you want to capture the light beam pictures.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon, is the slightly less crowded option and a longer tour. Two tour companies run tours through the canyon: Ken’s Tours and Dixie Ellis Tours. We opted for Ken’s Tours because it was a little cheaper and had the time available we wanted. The tours lasted about an hour and I did not feel rushed at all. Our guide, Carton, helped us get a ton of amazing shots in the Canyon and gave us a great overview of the history.
Each group contained 10 people. After you check-in, visitors wait in a waiting room. Once your group is called, it is a short walk to the entrance of the canyon. Although you will wait a little bit to get into the canyon and there are tons of people in the canyon at once, they space the groups out just enough to give you a chance to get some amazing shots.
Teacher Tip: Make sure to come in the morning between 8am-10am to get the best pictures.
Grab Lunch at Birdhouse
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-9pm, Closed Tuesdays
After your slot canyon tour, you will need to refuel! This quick-service fried chicken place serves some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. The Birdhouse offers a variety of meal options and three different sauces to choose from Original, Spicey, or Honey Butter. Each meal comes with a drink and a side. This might have been my favorite meal during a weekend in Page.
Horseshoe Bend
Cost: $10
Hours: Open 24 hours
This afternoon, take a hike around Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend, a big curve of the Colorado River that winds throughout Arizona, has become a popular photography spot. It costs $10 to park at the Horseshoe Bend parking lot. From there, it is about a 15-minute hike from the car park. Alternatively, you can also opt to take a shuttle for $20. The hike was not that bad and downhill on the way Horseshoe Bend. The trail was mostly paved with a few unpaved spots.
At the end of the hike, a small viewing platform gives visitors their first glimpse of Horseshoe Bend. From there, visitors can hike around to other spots, but they do not have a railing. It is a straight drop down, so make sure to use caution when taking in the views. I recommend hiking a little bit further down from the main viewing platform. There will be fewer people and you will have the ability to get some amazing shots!
Eat Dinner at Big John’s BBQ
Big John’s BBQ, a popular barbecue joint in town, serves some amazing barbecue. Make sure to get there early as it gets really crowded and you cannot make reservations. The service is also super quick and efficient.
Day 2
Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area
Cost: $30 or free with the America the Beautiful Pass
Hours: Open 24 hours
Today, spend your day exploring the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation area. This area, run by the National Park System, contains over 1.25 million acres of land. It encompasses Horseshoe Bend, the area surrounding Lake Powell, and the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It is the perfect spot to relax during a weekend in Page, Arizona.
Glen Canyon Dam
Stop by the Glen Canyon Dam. Built from 1955-1965, this 710-foot tall dam helps to form Lake Powell. You can visit the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook for fabulous views of the dam and the Colorado River. If you prefer, visit the inside the dam, but you must book your tour ahead of time.
Lake Powell
To beat the heat, spend some time at Lake Powell. Lake Powell, located inside the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area. From Page, the closest beach location is in Wahweap off the 89. Once you get to the entrance of the park, keep driving, and you will see the car park for the swimming area shortly after the picnic area. It is about a ¾ of a mile walk from the car park to the lakefront. This makes for a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Visitors can also opt to rent a kayak or a boat and take it out on the lake.
Teacher Tip: There are several fast food options in Page, such as Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Jack in the Box if you prefer cheaper and quicker food options.
Other things to do near Page, Arizona
If you have more time than a weekend in Page, make sure to head to many of the other awesome places to visit near Page. There are many other National Parks and awesome sites to see within 3 hours of Page.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Cost: $35 or Free with a National Parks Pass
Hours: Open 24 hours
Bryce Canyon National Park is located about a 2 hour and 40-minute drive from Page. This park, one of the “Mighty 5” of Utah, is full of gorgeous views of hoodoos, columns of weathered rocks, and amazing scenic hikes. Plan to spend at least one day in Bryce Canyon or more if you have the time!
Grand Canyon National Park
Cost: $35 or Free with a National Parks Pass
Hours: Open 24 hours
Located 2 hours and 40 minutes from Page, lies the marvelous Grand Canyon. This steep-sided canyon, located in Northern Arizona was formed by the Colorado River. Visitors can opt to visit the North Rim or the South Rim, both of which offer unique experiences.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Cost: Free
Hours: Open 24 hours
Designated in 1996, the Grand Staircase-Escalante is known for its cliffs and terraces is another fabulous place for hiking. This area in southern Utah contains many hiking and camping areas. Within the park are several slot canyons and waterfalls.
Monument Valley
Cost: $20
Hours: April-Sept: 6am-8pm, Oct-March: 8pm-5pm
Driving 2 hours east of Page brings you to Monument Valley. This ancient Navajo land boasts gorgeous sandstone towers that create a gorgeous landscape. Visitors can take several different tours of the land or opt to drive through the 17-mile scenic stretch. Some parts are only accessible by tours, so make sure to book one in advance.
Vermilion Cliff National Monument
Established in 2000 and located in northern Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument contains many popular areas to hike. The most popular hike, “The Wave,” requires a permit to hike that visitors can obtain online or at an in-person raffle. This is part of the Coyote Buttes hiking area. Other popular areas include Paria Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs. No matter which hikes you are able to do, it makes for a great addition to any trip!
Zion National Park
Cost: $35 or Free with a National Parks Pass
Hours: Open 24 hours
Another one of Utah’s “Mighty 5,” Zion National Park is about a 3-hour drive from Page. Located in southwestern Utah, this park is known for its infamous Narrows and Angel’s Landing Hikes. Although you can see a lot in one day, I recommend spending at least three days in Zion to see all of the main sites.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the National Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.
No matter what, a weekend in Page is a great addition to any Utah or Arizona Road Trip!
11 thoughts on “Fun Things to See During a Weekend in Page, Arizona”
Interesting read. Great info
Squeee this looks like such a fun girly holiday! I would looove to do this with my squad! How long are the hikes along the slot canyons? I would looove to walk along them!!
p.s. That is such a good photo of your group!
The hike was about an hour and a half but that included some time for stopping for pictures. It was so fun with my girls! I would recommend it!
Love John’s BBQ! Page is a great hub for lots of outdoor activities!
Right!? It was so fun for a nice weekend getaway.
We did a quick stop for Antelope Canyon years ago, but we really want to go back out there to explore more of the area. We also want to explore Lake Powell and do some paddleboarding 🙂 Thanks for these tips!
It was such a cute area to explore. Hopefully these tips will help you next trip out there.
Thanks for this post! I’m planning a family trip to Arizona in February so am just now starting to scope places out. Helpful to know a little about Page, AZ!
Awesome! Arizona is such a fun state to visit. Feel free to reach out if you need more help or info. 🙂
Obviously love Antelope Canyon, but we were super impressed by Horseshoe Bend, too! We must have sat there for like 20 minutes, just looking out into the abyss. Such a scenic part of the country!
Page looks like an incredible place to visit, those views are stunning! Definitely adding Arizona to my travel wish list! ?