Page, Arizona is a geological marvel. This sleepy town near the border of Utah and Arizona has some of the most beautiful natural features in the entire country. From the wavy slots of Antelope Canyon to the gooseneck of Horseshoe Bend and the incredible recreational opportunities on Lake Powell, Page is a highly sought-after place to visit and recreate.
Page is a popular add-on to many southwest road trips. It is a great day trip from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Sedona. And it’s also super easy to tack on a visit to Page before, after, or during a Utah National Parks road trip.
While you can certainly spend more than 24 hours exploring this beautiful slice of the desert, one day in Page will suffice. One day in Page Arizona will allow you to do all of the spectacular activities and see all of the highlights.
In this guide, I will share with you how to spend one perfect day in Page, Arizona by giving you a one-day itinerary and revealing all of the must-sees and the must-dos of this tiny desert town.
One Perfect Day in Page, Arizona
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One Day Page, Arizona Itinerary
Breakfast at LP Espresso
Nothing beats a small-town, local coffee shop. The food and service are usually exceptional, prices are typically fair, and it’s satisfying to support a small, family-owned business rather than a country-wide chain.
So rise as early as you can, grab a bite to eat and a quick coffee to-go from this cute family-owned coffee shop, and get fueled for a full day of desert adventures!
Go Kayaking on Lake Powell
Kayaking on Lake Powell is a treat. Not only do you get the pleasure of paddling through these amazing slot canyons (Antelope Canyon), but you can actually get out and hike through them, too!
No tour is required to paddle on Lake Powell and explore the slots, but there are tour companies available to guide you if you’d prefer.
Or you can do what we did and rent kayaks from a local outfitter. You will then have the freedom to launch your kayaks, paddle the waters, and explore the slot canyons at your leisure.
The best time to paddle Lake Powell is early in the morning before the lake and slots become overrun with tours, boats, and other kayakers. We paddled around 9 AM on a weekday in March, and the water was as still as glass, and the canyons were extremely quiet. We were the only two on the water aside from one small tour who stayed well ahead of us!
Make sure you are always following Leave No Trace outdoors! This includes on the water, in the canyons, and on the trails.
Lunch at R.D.’s Drive-In
Enjoy some classic diner food like milkshakes, burgers, and fries at this local drive-in.
You’ll need some energy for an afternoon of exploring!
Tour Antelope Canyon
If you only have time for one activity in Page, I’d recommend touring Antelope Canyon.
If you have enough time budgeted, I’d suggest exploring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. To make it work seamlessly with your schedule, you’ll just need to book your tickets well in advance – I’d suggest at least 4-6 months early.
You have some choices to make in regard to Antelope Canyon Tours, like which canyon(s) to visit and which tour company to book. I am going to break down the differences between the canyons and tell you about the different tour companies, including current pricing and tour lengths to help you decide which canyon(s) to explore.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon is the photogenic tour.
This A-shaped slot canyon boasts those iconic light beams and blowing sand that everyone raves about and captures on camera. With a wide bottom and a narrow ceiling, this canyon is cooler, darker, and less claustrophobic than the Lower Canyon.
But it is more expensive and more likely to sell out faster than the Lower Canyon tours.
PRO TIP: Visit Upper Antelope Canyon between 10:30 AM-1:00 PM to get the best photo of the light beams.
Upper Antelope Canyon Tours
- Antelope Canyon Tours – 1.5-hour tour. $85 USD for adults and $75 USD for children 7 years and younger.
- Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – 1.5-hour tour. $100 USD for all visitors.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon is the adventurous tour.
This V-shaped slot canyon is exciting to walk and climb through with its twisty passageways and complex ladders. Wide at the top and narrow at the base, the Lower Canyon feels a bit tighter, warmer, and brighter than the Upper.
If you don’t like to climb ladders, you have difficulty physically exerting yourself, or you are claustrophobic, I’d skip this tour.
Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
- Ken’s Tours – 1-hour tour. $55 USD for adults and $35 USD for children 12 and under.
- Dixie’s Tours – 1-hour tour. $55 USD for adults and $35 USD for children 12 and under.
FUN FACT: Ken and Dixie (the two tour operators for Lower Antelope Canyon) are actually siblings! Their tours are exactly the same, so you can’t go wrong with your choice.
Hike to Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a meander in the Colorado River. You can view the infamous bend in the river from above by hiking a 0.7-mile trail to the overlook.
To get there, you’ll need to drive 5 miles south of Page on US Highway 89. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of signs telling you where to go.
Cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and motorhomes will be charged $10 USD to park at the lot beside the trailhead. Motorcycle drivers will only have to pay $5 USD.
The trail from the parking lot to Horseshoe Bend Overlook is approximately 0.7 miles, making it a 1.4-mile roundtrip hike. The trail is rated as moderately difficult due to its harsh exposure. It takes most people 15-20 minutes to hike to the overlook – note this is one-way.
Make sure to bring plenty of water with you (at least a liter) and wear sun protection as the trail is almost entirely exposed. Many succumb to heat exhaustion on this trail; don’t fall victim to this!
PRO TIP: The best time to hike Horseshoe Bend is sunrise and sunset.
Post-Hike Tacos and Margaritas at Fiesta Mexicana
Fiesta Mexicana is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants that I’ve ever been to. The food is delicious, and the service is exceptional.
It is a small chain of family-owned Mexican restaurants sprinkled around Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
Summary
Don’t hesitate to add Page Arizona to your road trip itinerary! You won’t regret all of the exciting adventures that await you in this small desert town.
Is Page, Arizona and all of its local adventures on your bucket list?
