12 Top Things to Do in Page, Arizona

Take a Tour of Antelope Canyon

Considered Northern Arizona's most photographed slot canyon, this popular destination actually comprises two slot canyons: Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Most travelers visit the 100-yard Upper Antelope Canyon, where beams of light illuminate the sandstone walls in spectacular fashion. For more of a challenge, check out Lower Antelope Canyon, accessible via a series of ladders.

Keep in mind that you will need a guide to visit Antelope Canyon, which is located on Navajo land. Book your tour months in advance, especially if you plan to visit Upper Antelope Canyon during prime photography time (between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.). For a list of tour operators, head to the Navajo Nation Parks & Rec website.

Look Out Over Horseshoe Bend

Located approximately 9 miles from Antelope Canyon, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is one of Arizona's top hikes: Horseshoe Bend. It's a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the iconic overlook, where the Colorado River circles around a sandstone escarpment in the shape of a horseshoe. The trail is ADA-accessible, although hikers should be prepared for 380 feet of elevation gain. Plan your visit during sunset to experience Horseshoe Bend at its prettiest.

Visit Glen Canyon Dam

At 710 feet above bedrock, Glen Canyon Dam is the country's second-highest concrete-arch dam. It is the Colorado River Storage Project's main water storage unit and has historically been used to provide water to millions of people in the Lower Basin states. You can learn more about the dam at the Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center, which features exhibits, audio-visual programs, and ranger presentations. Glen Canyon Conservancy, a nonprofit educational organization, offers guided tours through Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant on a year-round basis. Tours are approximately 45 minutes long and free of charge. 

Raft the Colorado River

If you want to see Horsehoe Bend from a unique perspective, consider signing up for a rafting trip down the Colorado River. Wilderness River Adventures offers half-day, smooth-water tours, starting at Glen Canyon Dam and ending at Lees Ferry. In addition to the awesome canyon vistas of Horseshoe Bend, you'll also get to enjoy a stop at Petroglyph Beach, where a short hike will lead you to a petroglyph panel. Tickets are $99 for adults 16 and up, and $88 for children ages 4 to 15.

Rent a Houseboat on Lake Powell

Also located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the 60,000-acre, man-made Lake Powell looks like Monument Valley after a huge flood. Get out on the water and explore the lake's fantastic rock formations and hidden slot canyons by renting a powerboat, ski boat, jet ski, or kayak from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Antelope Point marinas. If you're here to fish, there several varieties of fish that call Lake Powell home, including smallmouth bass, bluegill, walleye, bullhead catfish, and northern pike. Amp up your experience by reserving a houseboat, ideal for family reunions and weekend getaways.

Cruise to Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Don't leave Lake Powell before paying a visit to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Spanning 270 feet across and standing 290 feet tall, it is one of the largest known natural bridges in the world. A National Park Service-designated Traditional Cultural Property, the bridge is considered sacred to six neighboring Indigenous tribes: the Hopi, Kaibab Paiute, Navajo Natio, San Juan Southern Paiute, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Ute Mountain Ute.

To get there, Lake Powell Resorts & Marina offers guided boat tours, which depart from Waheap Marina at Lake Powell Resort. After cruising for 50 miles, you'll land at a boat dock; from there, it's a 1.25-mile walk to the bridge. There is hiking on the eastern side of the bridge, however, you will need to apply for a backcountry permit from Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation in advance.

Hike The Wave at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

The 280,000-acre Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, located 41 miles west of Page, is best-known for Coyote Buttes North, otherwise known as "The Wave." The otherworldly landscape—which boasts geologic sandstone formations in shades of red, rust, and gold—can be reached via a challenging 6.4-mile round-trip hike. To visit, you will need a day-use permit, which you can get by entering either a daily lottery or advanced lottery (for trips four months out) on Recreation.gov.

While The Wave is certainly worth visiting, don't skip out on the other geologic wonders of Vermillion Cliffs, including Coyote Buttes South and Paria Canyon, one of the world's longest and deepest slot canyons (permits required). During your visit, also keep your eyes peeled for the California condor, as the Peregrine Fund breeding program hatches and releases the endangered bird here.

Visit the Powell Museum

A great place to start learning about Page and the surrounding area is the Powell Museum, founded in 1969 and part of the Glen Canyon Conservancy. You'll learn about Native American history and about Major John Wesley Powell, the Civil War veteran who explored the Glen Canyon area and, ultimately, the Grand Canyon. Note that the museum is currently closed for renovation; follow them on Instagram for the latest updates.

Play Lake Powell National Golf Course

Lake Powell National Golf Course is referred to as the “Crown Jewel” of golf in Northern Arizona. Designed by William Phillips, the championship 18-hole course opened for play in September of 1995. Sitting on a high mesa overlooking the impressive Glen Canyon Dam, beautiful Lake Powell, and Vermillion Cliffs, this scenic layout is a visual treat as well as a player’s delight. Check their official website for rates and events.

Explore Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Located in southern Utah, about 28 miles north of Page, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is one of America's least-visited, yet most underrated, national parks. Spread across approximately 1.87 million acres of public land, it spans five life zones and features a diversity of geologic formations, from slot canyons and natural bridges to monoliths and arches. There are plenty of hikes here, including those that will take you to Escalante Natural Bridge and Spooky Gulch, but we recommend the 9.1-mile, out-and-back Golden Cathedral Trail. The hike is moderately challenging, but watching the sun beam down through the Cathedral's multiple arches is an unforgettable experience.

Learn About Native American Culture at Red Heritage

Opened in March 2022, Red Heritage Indigenous Entertainment Hall offers a two-hour immersive show for visitors to Page to learn all about Native American culture. Each night kicks off with a buffet featuring Navajo tacos, frybed, and Southwestern cuisine, followed by an hour of Native American dancing, flute playing, live drumming, and singing. Tickets are $60 for visitors ages 11 and up, and $30 for children between the ages of 2 and 10; performances take place every Tuesday through Sunday night.

Check Out Waterhole Canyon

While not as famous as Antelope Canyon, this slot canyon 5 miles south of Page is just as incredible a landscape but without the crowds. Like Antelope Canyon, Waterhole Canyon can only be visited via guided tour, which you can book through Navajo-owned-and-operated tour operator Waterhole Canyon Experience. Opt between the 2-mile hiking tour, which takes you through Waterhole's three slot canyons in an hour and a half, and the three-hour photography tour. Tickets start at $81 a person.