Page is a small town in northern Arizona. Its population barely exceeds 7,000 people… Doesn’t it sound like a typical Arizona’s little city that, frankly, has not much to offer to you? It certainly didn’t look as one of the best places to visit in the state for me. Page didn’t even make on my initial Arizona itinerary. However, the more detailed I was getting with our upcoming trip, the more interested I was becoming in this city.
There was one thing I was certain about, I had to see Horseshoe Bend. To my surprise, Page was home to the famous natural attraction and a handful of other places you can’t miss in Arizona. I was sold. They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. The same is true for Page, don’t judge this tiny city by its size.
The Best Time to Visit Page
Page is a perfect destination to travel to all year round. Although the average temperature in the city varies significantly from season to season, even its winter presents enjoyable conditions for a short visit. Summers in Page are hot. The temperature rarely falls below 100°F (37.8°C). In winter, it lingers at 53°F (11.7°C). The best time to visit Page is from mid-April until June or September through October.
On the other hand, the comfortable spring weather marks the beginning of the tourist season when prices for almost everything, including accommodations, go up. Summer is the second busiest season. Despite the scorching desert heat, don’t anticipate any price drop. If you want to spend less and have more things to do in Page without the maddening crowds, consider visiting the city in fall or winter.
Getting to Page
If you have never heard about Page, the city’s location is surely to blame for it. The place is isolated. Some people even regard it as one of the most remote towns in the U.S. I wouldn’t agree with them completely, but Page certainly presents challenges for those who try to get to it.
Driving to Page
If you live somewhere in the American Southwest, driving is one of the best ways to travel to Page. Yes, it will be a long journey, but it is certainly cheaper this way. Moreover, you can turn a visit to Page into an extensive adventure through Arizona and neighboring states. Thanks to a myriad of unique road trip destinations, the American Southwest will not disappoint you.
Flying to Page
Driving, however, is not the only option. You can fly to nearby cities and cover the rest of the trip in a rented car.
Editor’s tip: you can find the absolute cheapest flights by following our guide.
There are several airports you can fly into:
- Page Municipal Airport. This domestic airport allows for an easy-breezy trip to Page. It is located within the city. Although convenient, it can be a bit pricey option as the airport is small and has fewer routes.
- Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is another domestic airport you might want to fly into. Even though you will need to drive for a little bit over two hours from Flagstaff to Page, there are no big differences in airfare prices compared to those with the Page Municipal Airport.
- McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas. It takes approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes to drive from the McCarran International Airport to Page. It might seem long, but it is an average distance you will drive anywhere in the American Southwest. The airfare prices are also more affordable. And since it is Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, you have ample options to join bus tours heading to Page. You might even save money this way, but, unfortunately, you will lose flexibility.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This airport works as good as the McCarran International Airport, and the drive to Page is a little bit over 4 hours.
Getting Around Page
Driving is your best option to get around and do all the things you’ve been planning to do in Page. You can rent a car at the Page Municipal Airport or any other airports you fly into. The majority of rentals at the Page Municipal Airport are only for pick-up and drop-off at the airport. One-way rentals are limited and ask for a premium pay.
6 Best Things to Do in Page
For a small city as Page is, there are surprisingly ample landmarks and natural wonders you won’t find anywhere else. The place is a precious gem that makes you wonder why you didn’t know about it before. Here are the best things you should do when in Page:
Horseshoe Bend
Consider Horseshoe Bend as a little brother of the Grand Canyon. The place is located just outside Page. Although Horseshoe Bend has many features that remind you of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, its unique horseshoe-like shape is the main reason that allures millions of visitors yearly.
Free entrance plays not the last role in such popularity of the place. You will pay only parking fees – approximately $10 per car – upon your arrival. At the time of our visit, the parking lot was still under construction. So we used a temporary-served shuttle to get to Horseshoe Bend. This experience, however, made it clear that you can park somewhere in the city (never on the side of US 89) and hike for a few miles if you want to avoid paying any fees altogether.
The hike from the parking lot is only 0.75 mile long. A wide trail leading to Horseshoe Bend suits the visitors of all activity levels. Such an easy access might be one of the reasons why the place is always crowded. So be sure to arrive early in the morning to share this natural attraction with fewer people.
Waterholes Canyon
Fortunately, not all places in and near Page draw the large crowds. Waterholes Canyon is a great example of the natural wonders that you can have almost entirely to yourself. The place consists of several slot canyons cutting through red sandstone rocks. There are a few routes that let you explore different features and sections of the canyon.
One thing, however, you should learn about Page before your visit is that the majority of its beautiful sites lie on Navajo land. To access them, you need to either purchase a hiking permit or book a guided tour. Since 2018, all sections of Waterholes Canyon are restricted to guests of a local tour company. A hiking tour costs $56 per adult.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon is the second popular place in Page. It is also one of the most accessible slot canyons in the area. Whether you travel alone or with your family and kids, Upper Antelope Canyon offers an easy hike for all.
The place is known for its V-shaped tall, reddish walls. Narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, these walls create somewhat mysterious environment. The undeniable features of the place are light beams that become especially visible from March until early October
Similar to Waterholes Canyon, only guided tours can enter Upper Antelope Canyon. You should allow approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for the entire tour. The price of the tickets ranges from $50 to $70.
Photography tours are usually more expensive. If you are on a tight budget, simply stick to the regular sightseeing tours. Most of the guides will show you the best places to see and photograph the light beams without you paying a premium price. Our tour guide didn’t even move to another spot until everybody in our group spotted a “heart” and “Lincoln’s face” above our heads.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons are like two peas in a pod. Although both places look somewhat similar, there are many things that differentiate them. First of all, the light beams are less profound here even in summer. Lower Antelope Canyon is also narrower at the bottom. In some places, you need to climb ladders. At the same time, Lower Antelope Canyon is nowhere busier than Upper Antelope Canyon. To top it off, the guided tours are significantly cheaper here.
Glen Canyon Dam and Glen Canyon Dam Bridge
If you want to see more free things in Page, head to Glen Canyon Dam and Glen Canyon Dam Bridge. These two man-made structures are located 5 minutes away from the city and are certainly worth your attention.
The Glen Canyon Dam Bridge stays 700 feet high (213 meters) and spans 1,271 feet long (313 meters). The bridge was completed in 1959 as an essential part of the construction of the enormous Glen Canyon Dam. Interestingly enough, at the time of its completion, it was the highest arch bridge in the world and the second highest bridge of any type. Today it is not even close to being one of the top 10 bridges in the world. Nevertheless, it never ceases to impress you with its size and ability to tame the wild beauty of the American Southwest.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell, the second largest man-made reservoir in the U.S., is another place to explore near Page. From boating to kayaking and fishing, the lake offers a great relief from hiking and walking all day long. You can bring your own kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards or rent them out.
A myriad of scenic locations near the shore enable you to take astounding pictures of the Glen Canyon Dam and surrounding desert. With its historic collections and exhibits, the Powell Museum fills your visit with entertaining stories and facts about the lake.
How Many Days to Spend in Page
The majority of the travelers often visit Page as part of their road trips through Arizona or the Southwest. So it is not unusual for the city to compete for time with other popular destinations such as the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Nevertheless, even one day is enough to see the highlights of the city. For the ultimate Page experience, you should spend at least two days in the city.
