Your Guide to Page, Arizona

Page, in Northeast Arizona, is where you want to stay to see iconic sights such as Horseshoe Bend and The Wave, and visit recreational areas such as Lake Powell. Here are some favorites of ours to help you plan your trip to this stunning part of Arizona.

WHERE TO STAY:

If you want a very unique stay, and enjoy glamping, I recommend SHASH DINÉ ECO RETREAT about 10 mins south of Page. This is on a Navajo reservation, which is also a working sheep ranch. There are several dome-shaped tents, a couple Calistoga wagons, a traditional Navajo mound-shaped dwelling, and a cubic structure, the “Kyoob”. We stayed in the Kyoto, since it was winter, and it has a wood-burning stove making the whole place cozy and warm. There is no running water or electricity, and barely any cell service to speak of. They have a very clean not-smelly outhouse, and a shower house. My husband was a bit skeptical at first, but he soon warmed up to the idea of disconnecting and just enjoying the amazing scenery. The hosts brought us a “backpack” breakfast every morning, with a thermos of coffee and another thermos with Navajo tea (made with herbs from their land). During the main season (not winter) they also offer optional dinners. There was a communal fire pit with a circle of Adirondack chairs as well. I mean LOOK at these pictures!

WHAT TO SEE:

Horseshoe Bend – Cost $10; Distance from parking lot .75mi. each way; For best photos go 1-2 hours after sunrise and 1-2 hours before sunset. Don’t wait until just before sunset because the sun dips behind a butte about 20 mins. beforehand.

The Wave – Cost $9 Application Fee plus $7/person or dog; Requires a hard-to-get PERMIT via either a Daily Lottery or Advanced Lottery. This is in the middle of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. For more information go to http://recreation.gov. If you get a permit you may still want to hire a guide to maximize your time there and not get lost. If money is no object you can charter a helicopter from the Page airport to take you over the formation. We did not manage to get a permit, so instead we went to “New Wave” and to the area behind the Shell Station. See below.

New Wave – Cost: Free; Not nearly as stunning as the original Wave, but beautiful nonetheless. The trail is a 1.4mi. loop. Note that the trail is up on the rocks. If you find yourself on a very sandy ATV trail, that is not the walking trail. There are several spots from the north end where you can scamper up onto the rocks, and then follow the loop.

Area Behind Shell Station – Cost: Free; This sounds crazy, but the photo on the top left was taken just about 100 yards from the parking area just behind the only Shell station in Page. It’s a very sandy path (think beach), so wear appropriate shoes. Go inside the partial cave and turn around and take photos looking outwards. Stunning!

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument – There are many parts of this that are not The Wave. Hike through unique red rock formations.

Lake Powell – This vast reservoir offers opportunities for boating, fishing, waterskiing and swimming. We saw some HUGE yachts, and imagine you could probably pay to stay on one of those. A great spot to get a bird’s eye view is from Wahweap Viewpoint.

Antelope Canyon: Cost varies; $8 permit fee plus you need to book a guided tour as this is on Navajo land. There is an Upper and a Lower Antelope Canyon. And also there is a “Secret” Canyon, which is what we went on. That was a good option, as it was not crowded at all, and we also got a more private (Navajo) viewpoint of Horshoe Bend. Explore the stunning slot canyons through guided tours.

Glen Canyon Dam – Cost: Free; Park at the Visitor Center and get a close-up view of the dam that holds back the Colorado River and creates Lake Powell. The bridge in the photo above was viewed from the parking lot of the visitor center.

Toadstool Hoodoos – Cost: Free; About 30 minutes north of page near Kanab, Utah. 1.8 mi. roundtrip from parking area. You really have to hike all the way to the end, because that’s where you start seeing the hoodoos.

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK:

Bonkers Restaurant – Quaint and casual Italian/American. In one of the oldest buildings in Page.

Big John’s Texas BBQ – Lively ambiance with some live music.

State 48 Tavern and Taproom – Brew Pub, Gastro Pub. An eclectic, casual restaurant.

Rainbow Room – Has a view of Lake Powell. Entrees ranging from fresh fish to flame-broiled beef.

Dam Bar and Grill – Very casual. We enjoyed their pizza.

Save this for your northern Arizona trip!