Tips and Tricks to Successfully Camp, Hike, and Tour Page, Arizona
This post will lay out where I camped and what I did in May of 2022 while in Page, Arizona. Quick background, I am originally from Arizona until I moved to the east coast when I was five. Since moving, this was my second trip back to the Grand Canyon State.
I road trip from Flagstaff since my cousin dropped me off to get my rental there. According to Waves, it should have taken me a little two hours, but it took me closer to three. Partly because of the winding roads and switching back and forth between two different time zones; Navajo Reservation and Mountain Standard Time. This is important to know when you are staying in Page, especially if you book tours. Make sure you are using the right time zone. Most tour places will follow Phoenix time.
When I was there, the temperature was much hotter than in Sedona, so keep that in mind. If you hike in Arizona, always take water and Gatorade on your hikes, even if it's only as short as 2 miles. You don't realize how much hydration you lose until you’re in trouble.
Know your body’s limits.
Always pack the right gear; wear appropriate hiking boots and clothing. Some trails are mild enough to wear your Chacos and Tevas, but please don't hike in flip-flops or nice sneakers. Get hiking boots, and your feet will thank you in the end! Something my cousin learned the hard way because he did not listen to his cousin. His shins were killing him hiking in VANS.
Another thing I recommend is going to Utah from Page. Page is a great place to make a basecamp, so you can check out some unique places in Utah, which I will post soon.
Camping
Page Lake Campground
I booked this place super last minute…like while driving to Page. It is an excellent place if you have an RV and need to stay for a night. It wasn't my favorite campground, but it does everything you need: showers, laundry, Wi-Fi (which was debatable), a playground, and a boat parking area.
The tent camping area was like being in a box next to another person. But it was cheap for the night, only $34.25.
Wahweap RV and Campground
By far, this was my favorite campsite on this trip. I planned to stay for one day but stayed for a few days instead. This was a little more expensive than Page Lake. It was worth it since I camped next to Lake Powell! They have coin-operated laundry and shower facilities which helped after days of wearing the same clothes! They also have Wi-Fi, but I only got okay service.
This campground shares the same grounds as a resort, which has a restaurant called Rainbow Room. It’s a great place to get a drink, see stunning lake views, and cool down. You can also sneak a quick swim in the pool while taking in the views!
Near the resort is a boat ramp to get into the lake. This is where I went swimming in the lake. I recommend swimming in the lake; it was honestly one of the best experiences! One thing you should be mindful of is the water levels. When I was there, the water levels were deficient, and there was a steep climb down to the beach area to swim. Be careful if you have to do this climb!
Hikes
Horseshoe Bend
I have wanted to come here since I went to Arizona for my birthday 7 years ago. Thanks to social media over the past few years, Horseshoe Bend has become a feature landmark of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This horseshoe-shaped, incised meander of the Colorado River has a 1,000-foot drop.
You should know that you can't use your national park pass here; the city of Page requires visitors to pay to park at the trailhead, and the cost is $10. I went here on my first night to catch the sunset. I’m always chasing a sunset! The parking lot was crazy busy, so I would suggest coming early.
The hike to the horseshoe overlook is .6 miles one way, and it's ADA and stroller friendly. A fence was put up a few years ago for safety reasons, but you can explore other areas away from the fences as long as you have the proper footwear! And please make sure your kids do not run on the stone. The stone is slippery, and there is an 1,000-foot drop into the Colorado River,
Everyone crowded by the fence to get their Instagram photo when I was there, so I headed to the other parts of the bend. Doing so allowed me to get some excellent views of the horseshoe without people in my pictures!
Antelope Canyon
This canyon was formed by the erosion of sandstone due to flash flooding, especially during monsoon season. The rain runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed—and sand—as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Navajo Parks and Recreation protect Antelope Canyon. Only authorized tour companies can take visitors into the canyon.
Lower Antelope Canyon
I was split when I looked up which section of Antelope Canyon to go to. Both are amazing, and you should go to both if you can. Many people love the Upper Antelope Canyon, which gets a lot of reviews, but honestly, I loved the Lower better than the Upper.
I took a tour with Dixie's Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. I loved this morning tour better than my afternoon tour with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and taught me how to take pictures of the slots (he was a photographer). You could tell how much he loved his job and cared about the canyon.
My group wasn’t big at all, just a small family and me. When I was there in 2021, they still had a mask mandate, and if you took off your mask for any reason, they would escort you out. That’s because 25% of their population died from Covid.
I had my Mountain Hardwear UPF shirt, phone, extended battery charger, and hiking boots. You can't bring any form of a backpack, hydration bag, or purse. Also, don’t allow go-pros or taking videos of the slot canyon.
The tour lasts an hour, and I wish it lasted longer; it is truly an incredible experience to walk through the slot canyon. I will say, though, there were a lot of steps going down into the canyon and few ladders to climb on this tour. If you have issues with steps and ladders, then this tour may not be the best for you. Instead, check out the Upper Antelope Canyon.
Upper Antelope Canyon
I did this tour in the afternoon of the day I did Lower Antelope. It was very different from the morning tour. I was surprised because when you do the tour at Lower Antelope, you park and head inside to meet your tour guide. Then, you walk over to the canyon.
I didn't realize there was a 20-minute drive from the location of the tour company to the Upper. Part of the drive heading to the Upper Canyon was on rocky dirt roads, and I felt like I was in a movie, driving fast in the desert.
Our tour guide differed from my first one too. He didn't talk that much, and he didn't provide much information. I was listening to the tour behind us to learn about the canyon. Our tour guide did take pictures of us, but he rushed us through and needed to be more mindful of not crashing into another tour group. The canyon itself was stunning, but the tour could have been better.
Also, the walk back to the vehicle is a bit long,
When we drove back to the tour company, he crashed into a fence and got stuck in the sand, and we had to be rescued by another tour guide. The cost of this tour was $141.04.
Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks
I saw this company featured on CNN a year or so before I came, so when I was ready to book a tour, I knew I wanted to check out this family-owned business. I booked the Antelope Canyon Paddle & Hike Tour. This 4.5-hour tour takes you through the scenic Antelope Canyon. You will paddle approximately 2.5 miles (5 miles round trip) to where the water ends; from there, you will hike through a beautiful slot canyon that’s only accessible by water.
The tour guide was exceptional, highly knowledgeable, funny, and down to earth, making the tour great. It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime tour, being able to paddle on the lake and then walk through the slots where the water used to be. She pointed out all how far back the lake used to be by showing us the black marks from the kayaks on the stone. How the lake and the canyon changed was both stunning and sad. I highly recommend booking a tour from this company!
This trail is 1.9 miles long, and it's a pretty easy hike. Finding the start of the trail is a little tricky, but once you are on the trail, you follow the stones laid out in a path. There were not many people when I was there, so this is a perfect hike if you want peace.
This trail reminded me of The Wave because the Beehives trail has a similar wave pattern. This would be an excellent place to go instead since you need a permit to hike the Wave.
Other Things to Do or Try
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
I recommend checking out the dam. It's a quick stop, but it’s stunning how this was built and how it changed the landscape of Page. This is the reason why Page is a tourist town.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
I loved the look inside this place. I went here 2 or 3 times, and it had such a fun vibe! I recommend getting the fried pickles! So Yummy!
Navajo Taco
Speaking of food, this is probably the only time I recommend getting food from a gas station, but in Page, Navajo Taco is their must-try dish, and you can get it at a gas station! A Navajo Taco made from Indian Fry Bread is topped with a meaty mixture of taco-seasoned ground beef and beans, then covered with all the fixings like sour cream, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.
Recap!
Page is a great place to go, and especially if you plan on heading to Utah as well, it’s the perfect base camp. Page is a tourist town, so be mindful when you come here. Some tours, such as the paddle board tours, aren't available during the winter. This place is excellent for all your outdoor adventures, but honestly, you only need three days here unless you have a boat to take out onto the lake. My favorite part of Page was Lake Powell and being so close to Utah since Utah has such a special place in my heart.
Now that you’ve seen everything I did there, you’re ready to have a great time, even if you only choose to do a portion of the ideas I listed. Just remember to always dress appropriately for your adventures and bring lots of water! And let’s go on an adventure, shall we?