Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Must-See Stops Around Page, Arizona
Most visitors show up in Page, Arizona with one thing on their minds: Antelope Canyon. And that makes sense. The slot canyon’s swirling sandstone walls and dramatic light beams are genuinely unlike anything else in the American Southwest. But if you only see the canyon and leave, you are skipping some of the most spectacular scenery in the entire country.
Horseshoe Bend is the obvious first add-on, and for good reason. The Colorado River curves nearly 270 degrees around a massive sandstone butte, and the view from the rim is one of those rare moments that actually lives up to the photos. It is about a 1.5-mile round-trip walk from the parking lot, with the last stretch being a sandy uphill climb. Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and the biggest crowds. There is no fee to park as of 2026, though that has changed before, so check ahead.
Lake Powell is just a few miles from downtown Page, and it rewards anyone who has a few extra hours. Wahweap Marina is the main hub for boat rentals, guided tours, and kayak launches. The red rock walls dropping straight into the blue-green water make it feel like a different planet. Even a short paddle along the shoreline gives you a completely different perspective on the Colorado Plateau landscape you have been driving through.
Glen Canyon Dam, right at the edge of town, is also worth a stop. The Bureau of Reclamation offers free tours inside the dam most days, and the visitor center has solid exhibits on how the dam shaped this entire region. The view from the bridge looking down into the canyon below the dam is surprisingly dramatic.
If you are making the trip from Las Vegas, a Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day tour is one of the most efficient ways to hit the highlights without worrying about logistics, permits, or timing.
Longer Hikes, Scenic Drives, and Other Experiences Worth Your Time
The area around Page has more hiking than most people expect. Wiregrass Canyon, located on Navajo Nation land south of town, offers a quieter slot canyon experience with far smaller crowds than Antelope Canyon. You will need a Navajo Nation permit to visit, and access can be limited, so plan ahead and confirm current regulations before you go.
The drive along US-89 between Page and Kanab, Utah is one of the more underrated scenic routes in the Southwest. The highway cuts through open desert with sweeping views of the Vermilion Cliffs and the Echo Cliffs, and there are several pullouts worth stopping at. Big Water, Utah, just across the state line, has a small but well-curated natural history museum with dinosaur fossils pulled from the surrounding area.
Antelope Canyon itself has more options than the standard daytime tour. If photography is a priority, an Antelope Canyon night photography tour gives you access to the canyon after dark for astrophotography, which is a completely different experience from the daytime light beam shots that dominate social media.
For travelers building a bigger Southwest loop, it is worth knowing that the Grand Canyon South Rim is roughly 2.5 hours from Page. Pairing both destinations in a single trip is very doable, especially with an Antelope Canyon guided tour from Las Vegas that handles the driving and timing for you. The region rewards slow travel, so if your schedule allows an extra day or two, use it.
