If you’re traveling through the US state of Arizona and ignore the wee little town of Page, it isn’t surprising. Without any prior knowledge, you could not possibly know anything about the best things to do in and near Page. Ah, but the fact is that Page is actually almost always included on any list of the “very best places to visit” in the American Southwest.

Page is on the border of Arizona and Utah and offers visitors more than you may realize. Are you curious about just what to do in Page? Well, wonder no more, we’re about to tell you just how to make the most of your next trip to Page, Arizona. Without any further ado, here are the nine best things to do in and near Page, Arizona!

9 Best Things To Do In And Near Page, Arizona

1. Explore Beautiful Antelope Canyon

Ensconced in Arizona’s Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon has swirling sandstone walls and is one of the American Southwest’s most stunning slot canyons. It has an upper and lower section and is famous among aficionados of photography. The Upper section is reportedly easier to access.  

The lower section requires visitors to navigate a number of stairs and ladders. Both are beautiful, of course. As this goes to press, you can’t really explore this canyon without a Navajo guide.  

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s then that you will be able to enjoy the most impressive views of the scarlet rock. Plan ahead and book your tour.

Also called the “east rim of the Grand Canyon”, this horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the mighty Colorado River is less than four miles out of Page and five miles downstream from Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam in the gorgeous Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You can reach it via a one-and-a-half-mile round trip hiking trail from the parking area right off US Route 89 in southwestern Page.  

Prior to 2015, it was comparatively ignored. Today there is a large parking lot, the trail is managed, and there is even an official viewing platform there because the place has become so popular. As this goes to press, it will cost you at least $10.00 to park your vehicle there.  

Lake Powell straddles the state borders of Utah and Arizona. It is actually an artificial reservoir created accidentally when the Colorado river water rose because the old Glen Canyon was dammed. When it is full, it is the country’s second-largest artificial reservoir by maximum water capacity.

It holds as much as 25,166,000 acre-feet of water. Roughly two million people vacation here every year. There’s much to do here too including boating, flyboarding, jet-skiing, kayaking, rafting, swimming, and more.  Regardless of all the water sports available there, the water continues to appear pristine and untouched.

Although its exact height has been disputed, the Rainbow Bridge remains indisputably one of the world’s highest natural bridges. At the top, it is 33 feet in width. It holds cultural significance to a number of the local Native American tribes. 

The National Park Service designated it an official Traditional Cultural Property. You can actually check off a couple of attractions on your Page bucket list by taking a boat tour to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. On this multi-hour cruise, you will see the striking Rainbow Bridge and Lake Powell among other sights.     

The popular Hanging Gardens are nestled in the gorgeous Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The area is reported to be very fragile, and visitors must take care and tread carefully both figuratively and literally. Indeed, mere foot traffic from both humans and animals can erode the soil here.

The park service created an easy, one-mile interpretive hiking trail that leads to this well-known, lush little riparian oasis. It is quite unusual considering its arid surroundings. This natural collection of green ferns hanging from the rugged rock wall right in front of you is a welcome break from the Martian-like desert landscape typical of that area. It’s also a great, free, fun option for folks who want to get out of their vehicle and stretch their legs but aren’t ready for a real hike.

The previously mentioned Glen Canyon Dam is the official second-largest dam in the United States. Considered by some excerpts to be an engineering marvel, it is a concrete arch-gravity dam located on the Colorado River. Built by the US Bureau of Reclamation between 1956 to 1966, it is 710 feet high.

It has a capacity of over 25 million acre-feet. Named for the natural river-carved Glen Canyon, the dam is historically controversial. Indeed, sources report that this dam is still “ a central issue” for more than one modern environmentalist movement. As previously noted, it is also responsible for Lake Powell’s existence. It’s an easy stop on your way elsewhere too.

Your rovin’ writer heartily agrees with this addition to the list! It is nowhere near as exciting as whitewater rafting, but it is certainly more family-friendly and inclusive. Plus, if you’ve just completed hiking the iconic Grand Canyon rim to rim, water rafting on the Colorado River can be a fun break. Admittedly, it is not nearly as challenging as whitewater rafting or kayaking, but it can conveniently convey you to a number of different scenic local locales including iconic Horseshoe Bend itself. Relax and enjoy the ride as you see the sights!  

Some travelers prefer seeing the sunset over the desert at Stud Horse Point. It comes complete with an assortment of individually impressive hoodoos and can be reached off of Highway 89 close to Lone Rock at Lake Powell. Speaking of Lake Powell, the Wahweap Overlook over Lake Powell is another nice spot. Mind you, there are no signs reading “Wahweap View.”  

You need to hear about it from hip sources. To help you locate it, it is less than three miles from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center located on Highway 89. Horseshoe Bend is another popular place to watch the sunset, too. Still, veteran visitors can confirm that the fact is that no matter where you are, the local desert puts on quite a show.

If you’re having a hard time getting in to explore Antelope Canyon, or just really have a big thing for slot canyons, then you really need to visit Waterholes Canyon! This is a technical slot canyon found south of Page. The upper section of Waterholes Canyon is located above Glen Canyon’s rim on the Navajo Reservation and thus a guide is required.

The lower portions empty into the canyon to the river, which is part of the gorgeous Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Within a distance of four miles, Waterholes Canyon drops 1,500 feet. It is similar to Antelope Canyon, just eight miles away, but it draws a lot fewer visitors, which means there’s less of a wait time for the tour, and it is less crowded.

Yes, you could take a somewhat expensive day trip from Las Vegas or Flagstaff and spend a lot of time on a bus. If you don’t mind doing the driving yourself, you should consider driving. If you rent a car, be aware that the devil is in the details.  

Sometimes you will find a rental company that has a superb price but has rental requirements that just won’t work for you. Some travel writers say that you get your best deal on a rental by searching online. After all, a low price is nothing if the rental terms aren’t reasonable.

Plan in advance

Before you leave home be sure to finalize your plans. Places such as Antelope Canyon are popular so schedule your tours in advance. Do your homework in terms of parking permits, campsite reservations, and other accommodations.

Beware of the time

Time in Page can be tricky, especially during Daylight Savings Time. Page is situated in the Mountain Time Zone. Arizona, and thus Page, doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time. The Navajo Nation, however, does observe Daylight Savings Time. Don’t get confused!

The heat

Page gets very little rain. Be prepared for the desert heat. Stay hydrated, dress appropriately, and wear sunscreen.

Spend the night

Veteran visitors suggest spending at least one night in Page. That way, you have more time to see all the highlights and some attractions not mentioned here to boot. Besides, how else can you truly appreciate the sunset without spending the night?

Stock up on supplies

If seeing Page is part of a larger road trip, check your supplies. After all, if you’re headed into Utah, it may be a while before you hit another town. Have a good trip!