Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend and other hidden gems of Page, AZ
- Maya del Aire
- Oct 20, 2019
- 7 min read
This is a unique place where you can find information about how to make your trip to US most memorable. You will be able to discover most instagrammable places of Page Arizona, and hidden gems along the way. After reading this post, you will know, how to reach those places, how to explore them and how to prepare for it. Enjoy!
*Navajo village
About
Page is a small town in Arizona that you have probably seen in movies such as Planet of Apes, Maverick, John Carter and many more. It is a home to many natural wonders and beauties such as Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend, Lake Powell and many others.
It is an interesting fact that Page was established only in 1957 as base for community workers for construction of Glen Dam and Colorado River. Today it counts about 7000 people that love and enjoy its red soil and rocky mountains that surround it.
How to get there
By Air
- Page Municipal and Flagstaff Pulliam airports are the closest airports, however it might be quite costly to land there considering they are not international airports.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor and McCarran International airports are around 4 drive hours away.
By car
If you happen to be visiting any of these places mentioned bellow including Grand Canyon, South Rim, I wholeheartedly suggest you to include Page into your itinerary, because it offers unique landmarks, and it is close to other famous places.
2.20 hrs away from South Rim, Grand Canyon
2.30 hrs from Zion National Park
2.35 hrs from Bryce Canyon National Park
4.30 hrs from La Vegas
#pagearizona # pagetourism #arizonatourism #onedayitinerarypage #howtopageaz #usatourism #nationalparksarizona #mothernature #travelblogger #travelitinerary #travelideas
1 day itinerary
8.00-9.30
Start a day with breakfast at Ranch house Grill. Restaurant opens very early and it is usually quite busy. The interior throws you back into an era of Western movies, with its pictures and souvenirs made by Native Americans. They have an extensive menu, with a selection of local breakfast dishes.
Address: 819 N Navajo Dr, Page
Opening hours: 06.00-15.00
Antelope Canyon
10.30-11.00
About
These incredible formations were created by wind force and strong water flows that started breaking the sandstone millions years ago. Since then, the iron oxides have been deposited on some grains in stone and this is where the red color comes from. Long time ago, before Europeans arrived, this area was inhabited by antelopes, hence the name.
These wavy passages can be very narrow, strong water flow can easily trap anyone inside. Because of safety reasons, since 1987 these places can be explored only with a tour guide.
Which Canyon to visit ?
There are three canyons that share same name, Lower, Upper and X Antelope Canyon.They all have pretty similar color and texture of its stone, however they differ in their shape.
Lower Antelope
Lower Canyon has a longer path than Upper, around 550 m (600 yards). It may be a bit challenging to climb and step over few boulders. It is narrower at the bottom and open at the top which lets the light settle though the holes. You will have to climb a ladder to get out.
Lower Canyon tour operators
Upper Antelope
Upper canyon is darker, as it is almost closed at the top, but it is wider than the Lower Canyon. It is easier to walk through its passages, and it also allows you to wear any fashion clothes you like, that match your comfy shoes. This also makes this canyon much known, and busier, so make sure if you are booking a tour for this canyon not to choose popular hours around midday or sunset.
X canyon
This is the least know canyon, but I would say as magnificent as the other two. It combines features of both Upper and Lower canyon, it has narrow and wide passages, with dark and bright spots. It is easy to walk through and least crowded. Tours are operated by one company that always has small groups; we were in a group of 11 people, where we had enough time and space to take as many pictures as we wanted. Because of its one way narrow passage, you can’t have many tours at the same time.
To book X canyon tour go to antelopecanyon-x.com
Or a combo
Regular or a photography tour?
Agencies usually provide both kind of tours, because in order for a professional photographer to make perfect shots, good light and an open space without interference is necessary. Therefore, photography tours are more costly, as they are longer and they can take up to just few photographers at the time.
If you are not a professional photographer, but just an instagrammer/blogger, you can easily take good pictures with a regular tour, as long as you choose good timing and make sure that agency doesn’t take many people on a tour. Tour duration is only half an hour, however it worth every penny.
***Tips and tricks
· Book in advance, especially in high season (May to October), considering that this particular company takes little groups, timings are filled up pretty early.
· You cannot bring any bags, tripods or any other equipment with you on a regular tour.
· Around X Canyon there is no an ATM, so make sure you are well prepared before gong there.
· There are Toy toy portable toilet facilities at the registration station.
· Wear comfortable clothes, and during summer wear a sunscreen, it may be very hot in there.
· Water is provided at the entry point of the canyon by the Taadidiin tour company for X Antelope Canyon.
· Make sure you arrive on time, which means Arizona time. Page town is on Mountain Daylight time, which in daylight saving time is different to Arizona that doesn’t follow daylight saving time.
· Have your Waiver printed and signed before you’ve reached the place, there are no facilities to print your paper at the starting point of your tour.
Wahweap Marina viewpoint
11.20-12.00
Your next stop is Wahweap Marina viewpoint, hidden gem of Page, which you won’t know about, unless you are talking to locals. This is actually a campsite with a wonderful overlook of Lake Powell and Wahweap Marina. In case you are making a short break, this can be a nice place for pictures, or a picnic.
The actual area is well equipped for camping, that features tent and RV site, flush toilets, showers, even a free WIFI point.
On the way there, you will cross the bridge over a magnificent canyon. You might want to stop for a moment and take a look. It is breath taking.
More info about fees and passes
#wahweapmarina #wahweapviewpoint #lakeview #lookout #hiddengem #pagehiddengem #howtoguide #campsitewahweap
Antelope point Marina and Lake Powell
12.30- 15.00
Before you start your boat tour through the Lake Powell, you might want to grab a lunch at at the Marina, at the only restaurant around there Ja’di’To’oh. Their menu is usual American, burgers, pizza, salads and sandwiches.
Marina is quite small so you can’t miss it. At the moment, there is is only one company doing boat tours from there. Make sure you are on time for your tour. The boat is an open air tour boat, from where you will be able to enjoy the view of swirling canyon walls around you. Through the tour, you will be able to hear the history and interesting facts of Lake Powell. I would definitely recommend doing a tour through the lake, because it gives another perspective of the area, the scenery has different colors and gives a different vibe from what you have seen so far.
To book a boat tour:
***Tips and tricks
What I think that it would be even a better idea is to rent a kayak, and explore the lake at your own pace and take pictures from a wider point of view.
There are number of kayak rental places around. I can’t suggest any because I haven’t used any.
#lakepowell #explorelakepowell #explorepageaz #boattourlakepowell #laketour #touristguide #howtotips #mustknowbeforeyougo #kayaklakepowell #antelopepointmarina #travelblogger
Horseshoe bend
15.30-17.00
Second most visited place around Page is Horseshoe bend. This is the place that only by experiencing it you can get the idea of how magnificent it is. Thanks to Colorado River that once cut through eolian Jurassic sandstone, the Glen canyon was formed with its beautiful gorge.
How to get there
If you are having a car, and you are in Page, take the Route 89 towards South and you will see a big sign on the right showing you the direction towards the parking.
The most affordable option is to go on your own with a car, however parking might be very busy sometimes, especially in high season, so the best option may be to book a tour.
a) Taking a shuttle with Horseshoe Bend Tours in Page, AZ
b) Visiting Horseshoe Bend on horseback with Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides
c) Taking a scenic flight over Horseshoe Bend by fixed wing airplane or helicopter from Page Municipal Airport
Best time to visit
I believe that any time of the day will bring out colors of this magnificent place. However, for people who would like to take pictures, I think that any time after midday is the best. The bend is under the shadow most of the time, so the sun rays will be shining towards you until the sunset. Your camera might not be able to take the best shot, unless you are a professional photographer and in that case the sunset will be the best time for you.
How to explore
Once you get to the gate, you will pay the fee which at the moment is $10 for cars, $5 for motorbikes, for which you can stay as long as you like.
Parking area is just at the entry of the path towards the Horseshoe bend, from where it will take 15 min of good walk on a gravel road to reach the viewpoint. The municipality is making an effort to make this beautiful lookout easily accessible and safe, hence fence and paved paths are still under the construction.
At the moment, only one very small part is fenced, the rest of it is just a rock that falls 300 meter deep into Colorado River. Hence, lots of paths, and stones might be very slippery and dangerous to walk on. There have been many incidents, so it is all on you to be safe and try to make the most of it without putting yourself or anyone else in danger.
Make sure you have explored both sides of the fence, as they give you two different sides of the bend and of the area around.
#horseshoebend #arizonahorseshoebend #howtoexplorehorseshoebend #besttimetovisithorseshoebend #traveltips #travelideas #usatravel #pagehiddengems
Bonus idea Navajo Village
If time permits, in order to have a complete experience of the area you are visiting, I would suggest you to go for one of the Navajo village tours. Tours are focused on showcasing the native American culture through storytelling, music, and artifacts. Tours approximately last for an hour and the last one starts at 16.00.
Navajo Village is located only 9 minutes drive away from horseshoe bend.
Address: 1253 Coppermine Rd., Enter through Big Lake Trading Post parking lot, Page, AZ 86040
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