In the north of Arizona in the United States lies the small town of Page surrounded by the bright red rocky desert. It is hard to believe that such an arid place can have anything to do with water, but the occasional heavy downpours and the nearby mighty Colorado River have created a landscape unlike any other that attracts millions of visitors every year.
Besides Page’s natural attractions, such as Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, the town is also an ideal hub to explore unique close-by natural wonders, particularly Grand Staircase-Escalante, Vermilion Cliffs and Rainbow Bridge National Monuments. Furthermore, a short 1-2 hour ride can get you to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, and even the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This makes Page an ideal hub to explore many of the major attractions of Arizona and Utah.
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a very narrow red coloured slot canyon and is the main reason why people visit Page. The best time to visit the canyon is after the rains on a sunny day when the canyon’s walls are cleaned of sand and fully display their red hues. When the sun is located directly above the canyon, it will create dramatic light beams inside the canyon, so make sure to book a tour at a time when the sun reaches its highest point (this varies throughout the year, but is usually around 10.30am to 1.00pm).
It is not possible to see the canyon on your own. You’ll need to book a tour in advance with one of the local tour companies. All tour companies offer pretty much the same experience. However, in the low season some companies offer photography tours of the Antelope Canyon – this will allow you to take your tripod into the canyon and will also give you a bit more time in each location to take spectacular photos. To prepare yourself, be warned that Antelope Canyon is always busy, most of the time there will be a long continuous line of people going through the canyon and guides will rush you, giving you very little time to enjoy the area. Do note that tours get cancelled during heavy rains because of the dangerous risks of flash floods.
You can visit the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon (or both). The main difference between the two is that the Upper Canyon does not involve stairs and offers a better chance to see the famous light beams. However, the Lower Canyon is a bit less crowded, thus giving you better chances for photography (bring a wide-angle lens for the best photos!). And even though Antelope Canyon is almost always full of visitors, its unique red rock formations are definitely worth a stop.
Tip: Especially for visiting the Upper Antelope Canyon during the peak season, we advise to book a tour some months in advance to get the desired day and time slot.
Lake Powell
In the 1960s, a dam on the Colorado River was built here creating Lake Powell. The lake fills up over 90 canyons, creating beautiful scenes at every turn. Lake Powell offers numerous water activities but is also ideal for relaxation.
Tip: Views over Lake Powell are most spectacular from the Alstrom Point, which can only be reached after a 2 hour bumpy drive in a four-wheel drive.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a photogenic and iconic viewpoint looking down at an almost 360-degree bend of the Colorado River. On top of that, it is only a 15-minute drive away from Page and totally free. You will work a bit to get the view, as there is a short uphill hike from the parking spot. The most iconic photo opportunity is straight from the trail: here you can catch a glimpse of the whole bend, however, this is also the busiest spot. If you would like to enjoy a more secluded view, head to either edge of the overlook. The bend is particularly popular during sunset, yet the mid-afternoon light also beautifully lights up the canyon.
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