Horseshoe Bend
The first stop on our trip to Page was Horseshoe Bend. You will often hear it referred to as the East Rim of the Grand Canyon. The stunning rock formation was created over millions of years of erosion from the Colorado River.
Upon arrival to the landmark, we had to pay a $10 fee (per vehicle) to enter and park the car. To get to the viewpoint, you’ll need to walk about 3/4 of a mile or 15 minutes. It’s best to wear comfortable shoes, but we saw several people doing the hike in sandals. On the way back, the walk might take slightly longer as it is uphill but overall a very easy hike suitable for all ages.
When you get to the lookout point, you will see many people crowded around the viewpoint, but there are so many areas to explore to get pictures from different angles without the crowds. If visiting during the day, I recommend going when the sun is highest so shadows or backlight don’t interrupt your views or photos. We spent about an hour exploring the cliffs, but you could certainly spend less time there and it would still be worth your while to visit!
Antelope Canyon
After visiting Horseshoe Bend, we arranged an afternoon tour to Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon consists of five slot canyons located on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Millions of years of water and wind erosion have caused the beautiful formations of rock beneath the land. Because of it’s location on Navajo land, the only way to visit the canyons are by guided tour.
We opted for a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon as it was the most available and affordable option at the time of booking. As you can see in the photos below, the canyon is very narrow at the bottom and gets wider at the top where the light shines through. We did not get the chance to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, but from what I hear, it is just as beautiful and a paradise for photographers.
Lake Powell
The next day, we dedicated the day to exploring Lake Powell. There are so many ways to enjoy your time on the lake. You can rent a boat, waverunner, kayak, or paddle board. If you are staying for several days and have a bigger group, consider renting a houseboat!
We opted for a kayak since it was just the two of us. We rented from Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks for $84 including taxes and fees for the full day. You could choose any starting time after 9 am and you had to return by 5 pm. There are typically multiple launch points but due to the lower water levels, the only launch point was Wahweap Main Ramp.
We first stopped by the office in town to sign in, get life jackets, and a map. Then we drove about 15 minutes to the marina inside Glen Canyon National Park. There is a $30 entrance fee to the park and that gives you seven days of entry. We were able to park right on the boat ramp and an employee was there to greet us and launch the kayak in the water.
We visited the first week of May and there was barely any boat traffic which made for an easy ride. We spent about five hours rowing through the inlets and admiring the landscape. There are also many places to get out and hike if you choose to do so.
Toadstool Hoodos
On our way out of town, we decided to visit the the Toadstool Hoodos that were recommended to us by our waiter at dinner the night before. The Toadstools are balanced rock formations that are formed from erosion. The Toadstool Hoodos are made of Dakota Sandstone which sits on top of a Entrada Sandstone which is a softer rock. As the softer rock erodes from water and wind, the harder stone on top remains in tact forming a rock that looks similar to a mushroom. The formations are fascinating, it looks as if someone placed a giant rock on top of a skinny one!
About a 30 minute drive outside of Page, in Kanab, Utah, you will find the parking lot and trailhead to the Toadstools. The parking lot is located right off of Interstate 89, so make sure you don’t miss it. The trail is about 1.5 miles roundtrip that consists of mostly flat terrain. The signs along the trail can be a bit misleading, but you can’t really make a wrong turn as there are several ways to get to the Toadstools themselves. On the day we visited, it was extremely windy and we had to cover our faces from the sand during the hike. Once we got to the Toadstools, the dust settled and we were able to enjoy exploring and taking in the views.
Viewpoints
There are several viewpoints throughout the town that are worth mentioning. Each of them offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Glen Canyon Dam Overlook – this overlook is free to visit and is a short walk down a set of rock stairs. To to the north, you have uninterrupted views of the Glen Canyon Dam. To the south, you can admire the Colorado River.
- Wahweap Overlook – this overlook is also free to visit and offers beautiful views of Lake Powell, rock formations, and hills in the distance.
- Wahweap Viewpoint – this viewpoint is located within Glen Canyon National Park so there is a cost to visit. Vehicles are charged $30 for a 7 day pass upon entrance to the park. The viewpoint offers stunning views of the Wahweap Marina and the surrounding Lake Powell.
- Navajo Mountain Viewpoint – this viewpoint is also within Glen Canyon National Park and was one of my favorite lookout points. It was exciting to watch boats pass through the rock formations on Lake Powell below.
Getting Around Page & Restaurants
There are plenty of places to eat and have a few drinks after a day of exploring. A few worth noting are the following:
- Grand Canyon Brewing – An old fire station was converted to a restaurant and brewery and has such a cool vibe to it. Outside you’ll find tables with firepits and inside you’ll find couches and tables, a full bar, pool tables, shuffleboard, and an area to buy apparel and souvenirs. The staff was amazing and gave us recommendations for things to do, including visiting the Toadstools on our drive out of town.
- Gone West Family Restaurant – This is truly a family owned and operated restaurant. The identical twin daughters of the owners were our servers and they were fantastic. In the evenings, a local band named Lake Powell Outlaws takes the stage and you can enjoy the music with locals.
Feel free to share the map below which pins all the activities mentioned above!
