Weekend in Page: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell

Northern Arizona has some of the most incredible natural wonders. Located only a four hour drive from Phoenix or Vegas, you can find Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell. Page gets very busy during the summer, so the best time to visit would be in the spring or fall when the weather is comfortable and there are less crowds. Follow this guide on how to spend a weekend at Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell.

How to Get to Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell)

The best way to get to Page to visit these incredible places is to fly into either Phoenix or Las Vegas, rent a car, and drive about 4 hours. Since both airports are about 4 hours away from Page, choose the airport that offers the best nonstop flights for you.

Where to Stay in Page

There are several hotels and Airbnbs in Page. If you are interested in staying in a hotel, I recommend the Courtyard Marriott in Page. It is conveniently located right near Lake Powell and close to downtown Page.

Saturday

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe shaped part of the Colorado River with an overlook that has a dramatic 1,000 ft drop. The view is breathtaking and worth spending some time enjoying. It now costs $10 per vehicle or $5 per motorcycle to enter the parking lot. Parking on the side of the road is no longer allowed, so if the parking lot is full you would need to come back. There is a 0.6 mile trail to get to Horseshoe Bend from the parking lot. Comfortable shoes are recommended as there are many stairs that you will need to go down and then back up. It does get really hot here in the summer, so make sure to bring water with you.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon formed by erosion from wind and water. There are two parts of the canyon: upper canyon and lower canyon. Both upper and lower canyon require a tour guide. You can make reservations online ahead of time with one of the tour operators listed below. Read the descriptions of upper and lower antelope canyon to help you decide which part you prefer to visit. If you have extra time you could visit both upper and lower canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is most well known for the light beams that come through gaps in the canyon and shine on the sand. The light beams can only be seen during certain hours, typically around noon in the summer months. You must make a reservation at upper antelope canyon ahead of time as spots do sell out. Upper antelope canyon has no stairs, so it is easier to walk through.
Upper Antelope Canyon Tour Operators: Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, Antelope Canyon Tours, and Antelope Slot Canyon Tours.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon has thinner canyon walls and is a longer canyon. Reservations are helpful especially in the summer when it gets crowded. This canyon requires you to climb up and down ladders and stairs, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Tour Operators: Ken’s Tours and Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Canyon Tours.

Sunday

Toadstool Hoodoos- Paria Rimrocks Hike

This is an interesting 1.8 mile out and back trail located about 30 minutes north of Page. The trail has a unique landscape with toadstool hoodoos and white and brown rocks. The trailhead is located in Utah at mile marker 19 driving north from Page, Arizona into Utah. When you reach the end of the trail make sure to turn left and continue for a couple minutes to see more interesting views.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is the second largest man made lake in the United States, after Lake Mead. Lake Powell was created by the Glen Canyon Dam which floods the Glen Canyon. You can rent a boat at Lake Powell, join a boat cruise, or kayak. The most exciting option is to rent a kayak and enjoy the lake at your own pace. With a kayak you are able to reach another part of Antelope Canyon that boats cannot reach because the water is usually not high enough here. Make sure to reserve the kayak ahead of time as kayaks do sell out. We used Kayak Lake Powell to rent our kayaks, which is about 20 minutes from where we started our kayak trip (Antelope Point). You can ask the kayak rental location to show you potential routes that you can take with the time you have and see what they recommend depending on the current.

Kayak Lake Powell to a Slot Canyon

There are many routes that you can take at Lake Powell but if you only have about 3 or 4 hours I recommend kayaking from Antelope Point Marina to the slot canyon. The slot canyon is not as pretty as Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, but it is a lot more enjoyable because there are not as many people there. Believe it or not, but when we were walking through the slot canyon we didn’t see anyone else. The slot canyon is about 2.5 miles from Antelope Point Marina, and the entire journey there is amazing, as you are surrounded by high white and brown canyon walls.

Directions: Start at Antelope Point Marina and kayak left. You will then turn left into a canyon and keep kayaking. You will eventually reach a part of the lake that is dried out. Here you can get out of the kayak and walk through the canyon. After enjoying the quiet canyon, make your way back the same way you came.

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