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Attractions & Sightseeing

Attractions & Sightseeing

Arizona, USA

Iconic Landmarks

Upper Antelope Canyon (Tsé bighánílíní): The most famous section, known for incredible light beams especially from late March to early October during mid-day hours (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM). The canyon floor is relatively flat and sandy.

Lower Antelope Canyon (Hazdistazí): This section gives a more adventurous experience. It is narrower, needing visitors to navigate steep ladders and stairs to descend and ascend. The canyon's V-shape creates unique light and shadow plays.

Visitor Notes

  • All visits need a guided tour with an authorized Navajo operator.
  • Book months ahead for peak light-beam times.
  • Tours typically last 1-1.5 hours.
  • Fees vary by operator and time, including the Navajo Nation permit.

More Landmarks

Antelope Canyon X Baxashííchííkʼí

  • A less-visited alternative, giving an equally striking but often more intimate slot canyon experience. It consists of two distinct slot sections.
  • Guided tours are mandatory.
  • Booking can be easier than Upper or Lower, making it a good last-minute option.
  • This canyon often gives a quieter experience, allowing more time to absorb the surroundings.
  • Enjoy unique rock formations and light play.
  • It's a memorable visit without the largest crowds.

Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell

  • Horseshoe Bend: A dramatic, iconic U-shaped meander of the Colorado River, about 10 minutes drive south of Page.
  • Accessible via a well-maintained 1.5-mile (round-trip) dirt path from the parking lot.
  • A parking fee (approx. $10 per vehicle) applies.
  • Lake Powell / Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: A vast man-made reservoir on the Colorado River, formed by the Glen Canyon Dam. Stunning blue water against red rock.

Do not approach the edge too closely at Horseshoe Bend; no railings in many spots.

Lake Powell Access

  • Access points include Wahweap Marina and Antelope Point Marina near Page.
  • Entrance fees apply to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (covered by America the Beautiful Pass if you have one).
  • Rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard to explore hidden coves and canyons directly from the water.
  • Consider a scenic boat tour.

Antelope Canyon Variations

  • Upper Canyon:

    Flat, sandy floor. Famous light beams. Easy walk.

  • Lower Canyon:

    Steeper ladders, uneven steps. More adventurous. V-shape.

  • Antelope Canyon X:

    Less visited, intimate. Two distinct sections. Quieter.

  • Booking Tours:

    Always book through authorized Navajo operators.

  • Photo Tips:

    Use "vivid" or "warm" settings on camera for color.

Museums & Cultural Institutions

While Page is small, it offers a few places to learn about the region's history and culture.

Cultural Insights

  • Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Visitor Center

    Provides information on Navajo tribal parks, including Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly. Learn about Navajo culture, history, and land management.

  • Carl Hayden Visitor Center (at Glen Canyon Dam)

    Located on the Glen Canyon Dam. Features exhibits about the construction of the dam, the geology of the Colorado Plateau, the history of the Colorado River, and Lake Powell's significance. Views of the dam and Lake Powell.

  • Local Heritage

    These centers are resources for local information and understanding the region's unique heritage.

  • Cultural Exhibits

    Explore exhibits detailing the natural and human history shaping the area.

  • Information Hubs

    These centers serve as excellent starting points for planning your visit to tribal lands and national recreation areas.

  • Regional Overview

    Gain a broader knowledge of the Colorado Plateau and its natural wonders.

Navajo Nation Visitor Center

A resource for understanding Navajo culture and tribal parks.

Carl Hayden Visitor Center

Learn about the Glen Canyon Dam's history and geology.

Regional Exploration

Both centers serve as information hubs for wider regional discovery.

Historical Sites

The Page area's history ties to the landscape and significant engineering feats.

  • Glen Canyon Dam: A massive concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River, completed in 1966. Its construction created Lake Powell.
  • Tours of the dam's interior are sometimes available (check current status). You can walk across the bridge for views.
  • Lees Ferry (part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area): Downstream from Page, about a 45-minute drive. This historic site was a crossing point on the Colorado River before bridges and dams.

Natural Attractions

Beyond Antelope Canyon, the region is a playground of natural beauty.

Antelope Canyon

The star of the show. Its unique slot canyon geology, with swirling, fluid sandstone walls and dramatic light effects, is a geological marvel.

Horseshoe Bend

The iconic horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River, offering vast panoramic views.

Lake Powell

This enormous reservoir is a destination in itself. It features thousands of miles of shoreline, countless coves, natural arches, and dramatic rock formations accessible by water.

Other Regional Wonders

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Located south of Page, this vast and remote wilderness area protects colorful sandstone cliffs, canyons, and buttes. It is home to "The Wave," a famous sandstone formation that needs a highly competitive permit lottery to visit.

More info here

Grand Canyon National Park East Rim access

The Desert View (East) Entrance to Grand Canyon's South Rim is about a 2.5-hour drive from Page.

Find tours

Access & Views

Other areas are less restricted but still need careful planning and often high-clearance vehicles. This entrance offers different perspectives and viewpoints than the more crowded Grand Canyon Village.

Iconic Landmarks

You can see the Little Colorado River Gorge and the iconic Watchtower.

Lees Ferry Historical Site

Known for early Mormon settlement attempts and as the starting point for Grand Canyon river expeditions.

Features

  • Only vehicle-accessible river point within Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon.
  • Accessible downstream from Page.
  • Holds rich historical significance in the region.

Archaeological Insights

While not prominently featured or easily accessible for public self-guided tours near Page, the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas hold numerous ancient sites.

Site Access

  • Ancient Puebloan and ancestral Native American sites.
  • Typically protected.
  • Need special permits or guided tours to visit.
  • Inquire with Navajo Nation for details.

Planning Tip

Consider purchasing a National Parks Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) if you plan to visit multiple national parks or recreation areas like Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell) or the Grand Canyon.

It saves money on entrance fees and grants access to many federal sites.

Hidden Gems

Seek out these less-visited spots for unique perspectives and fewer crowds.

Less-Known Slot Canyons

Several smaller, less-known slot canyons near Page give similar but often more private and less crowded experiences than main Antelope Canyon sections.

Tour Operators

  • Tour operators like "Antelope Canyon Secret Tours" or "Antelope Canyon Photo Adventures" sometimes give access to these alternatives.
  • Inquire about these options if you prefer a quieter experience.
  • Waterhole Canyon: Another slot canyon on Navajo land near Page. Gives an unique experience, often less crowded. Access needs a guided tour.

Scenic Overlooks

Stud Horse Point: A geological formation with unique sandstone hoodoos (pillar-like rock formations).

Photo Spots

  • Gives a beautiful, unobstructed view of the surrounding desert landscape.
  • A great spot for sunset photography without the crowds of Horseshoe Bend.
  • Alstrom Point: A remote overlook with stunning panoramic views of Lake Powell, Padre Bay, and surrounding mesas. Needs a long drive on rough, unpaved roads, often a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle.

Waterhole Canyon

Offers an unique and less crowded slot canyon experience, with some tours including a short hike to a picturesque arch.

Features

  • Guided tour needed.
  • Possible arch hike.
  • Fewer crowds.

A great alternative to the main Antelope Canyon tours.

Stud Horse Point

A geological formation featuring unique sandstone hoodoos. It has beautiful, unobstructed views of the surrounding desert.

Highlights

  • Excellent for sunset photos.
  • Fewer crowds than Horseshoe Bend.

A serene spot for desert contemplation.

Alstrom Point

A remote overlook giving stunning panoramic views of Lake Powell. It needs a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle for access.

Access & Views

  • Remote location.
  • Legendary sunrise/sunset views.
  • 4x4 vehicle needed.

Worth the effort for the expansive vistas.

Planning Your Visit

National Parks Pass

Consider purchasing a National Parks Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) if you plan to visit multiple national parks or recreation areas like Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell) or the Grand Canyon.

Cost Savings

It saves money on entrance fees and grants access to many federal sites, making it a valuable asset for extensive travel.

Wider Exploration

This pass supports broader exploration of the US national park system, a good choice for travelers touring multiple locations.

Planning Tip

Research and book your tours and permits well in advance for Antelope Canyon and other popular attractions. This ensures you secure desired times and experiences.