Stop three of our epic southwest road trip was Page, Arizona. Page is located on the border of Arizona and Utah and a stones throw from the south shore of Lake Powell. It is an easy two hour drive from Monument Valley, via US-163 and US-98. Page is fast becoming an outdoor enthusiasts playground like Moab, Utah. Page offers water sports, hiking, slot canyons, breathtaking scenery and even a golf course. Established in 1957 as a work camp during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, the town consisted of housing and "church row," the highest concentration of churches per mile in the world. Workers back then and visitors today can choose from 12 different denominations.
South of Glen Canyon Dam, on US-89, you will see a sign for Scenic View Drive. This stunning viewpoint is located out of sight, behind a series of hotels. Follow the sign to the parking area and you won't be disappointed. A set of steps, off to the left of the parking area, takes you down the red rock for an amazing view of the dam and the Colorado River below. Leave the parking lot and continue on US-89 to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center for a dam tour, souvenirs, and several vantage points for photos.
For a view of the back of the dam and a hike down to the river, head to the Hanging Garden Trailhead. The trailhead is located on the south side of US-89 just east of the dam. If you are heading to the dam from Page, right before the dam is a road marked with a hiker sign, turn right. From here you have two options: head to the trailhead for a hike at Hanging Garden or follow the gravel road to the left. This well maintained gravel road will lead you a parking area (with restrooms!). Carefully pick a route over the slickrock down to the river or the numerous view points. This seems to be a very popular spot for locals so you can follow them down to the river, but stay out of the water. You are right near the dam and the water depth drops quickly, so just enjoy the view!
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed locations in the southwest. This breathtaking overlook is south on US-89, just out of town. Horseshoe Bend has a new-to-us parking lot, restrooms, and a paved trail to the overlook. There is a $10 entrance fee per vehicle. The park is within the city limits so the Annual National Park Pass is not accepted. However, you CAN use your annual pass at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area surrounds Lake Powell and provides lodging, water sports and camping. At Wahweap Marina you can rent a boat or kayak for the day or a houseboat for an extended stay. Lake Powell Resort and Marina offers lodging, a boat launch and dining options.
Our suggestion for camping when visiting is Wahweap RV and Campground. There are other campground options available in Page, but trust me on this one. Wahweap RV and Campground offers full hook-up, tent sites and group sites. Amenities include a coin laundry, free WIFI, swimming beach, restrooms with showers, picnic tables, fire rings/grill and is pet friendly.
If you are self contained, Lone Rock Beach Campground or Beehive Campground, also located at Glen Canyon Recreation Area, might be for you. These campsites do not take reservations and cost $14 a night. Lone Rock Beach has 4 micro-flush toilets and 6 vault toilets, a cold outdoor shower, dump station and seasonable potable water. Be advised that you will be camping on the beach and dunes - there are no designated sites and a 14 day maximum stay allowed.
Beehive Campground has 6 sites with no amenities - this is strictly a pack in, pack out campground with a 3 day maximum stay. Picnic tables are available and portable toilets are required. Neither campfires nor glass containers are allowed during your stay.
Page, Arizona is known for spectacular slot canyons, so we highly recommend you visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon during your visit. Unfortunately, during our visit the Navajo Nation was under lock-down due to Covid, so our #PlanB included Kanab, Utah and Lee's Ferry. Both are an easy day trip from Page.
Toadstools Trailhead is located in Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument on US-89, heading toward Kanab, Utah from Page, Arizona. There is a parking area and no fee is required to enjoy this trail. This 1.5 mile round trip hike through a wash, takes you past beautiful rock formations, cliffs, dry waterfalls and to mushroom shaped formations. Bring plenty of water. on this hike! Spring and fall are the best times to visit as it gets very hot here in the summer. This trail is rated easy to moderate.
Kanab Sand Caves are located 5 miles north of Kanab, Utah on US-89. As you pass Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, start looking for the caves off to the right of the road. Once you find the Caves, you can park on the opposite shoulder of US-89. If you pass Moqui Cave you have just passed the Sand Caves. While these are not natural solution caves - they were created by the mining of sand to create glass - they are still fun to explore! When you arrive, find your way to the caves by following the trail to the left of the caves. A few things to be mindful of when exploring the sand caves: be extremely careful crossing US-89, bring good hiking boots, there are shear drop-off at the cave windows and finally, if you are afraid of heights, this adventure may not be for you.
If the Sand Caves are a bit too intimidating for you, 16 miles north of Kanab is the Belly of the Dragon. Access the the parking area via the dirt road on the west side of US-89, between two guard rails. If you hit Carmel Junction you have gone too far so find a safe place to turn around, and head back 1/2 mile. Mother nature has sculpted the sandstone walls of this man-made water culvert and has created a beautiful 1/2 mile hike for you to enjoy. The culvert passes under the road to a wash which you can follow. When done, just return the way you came. Make sure you bring a flashlight and water on this hike, do not enter the culvert if it is raining or looks like rain and, as always, do not deface the sandstone walls.
Continue on North US-89 and you will pass two National Parks, the first is Zion National Park and the second is Bryce Canyon National Park. Our stop for the day was Bryce Canyon because reservations were required at Zion to ride the shuttle to the trailheads. These two National Parks are completely different and if you have time we highly recommend you visit both. The main road in Bryce leads you to numerous overlooks of the hoodoos below. Sunrise Point and Sunset Point are a great way to start and end the day.
Zion has step red cliffs and epic hikes. Hiking the Virgin River, up to Angel's Landing or to the Subway are considered bucket list endeavors. Which ever you choose you will not be disappointed.
On our way back to Page from Bryce Canyon N.P. we saw signs for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, so we headed in that direction. This unique State Park has 1, 200 acres of sand dunes, 90% open to OHV (Off-Highway Vehicles) use. A notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains allowed wind to funnel and carry in eroding Navajo Sandstone from the area. You can spot the notch in the distance, from the dune viewing platform. There are additional opportunities too view the dunes along HWY 42/ Sand Dunes Rd.
Lees Ferry is just west of Navajo Bridge on US-89A and is the only place in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area where you can drive up to the Colorado River and dip your feet in. Lees Ferry is also the put in for all motorized raft and dory trips down the river. The National Park Service runs a campground, dump station and boat launch at Lees Ferry. There are 54 sites at the campground without hookups. Bathrooms, grills and water are available. This campground does not take reservations and costs $20 a night, per site.
Cathedral Wash Trailhead is located at Lees Ferry. There is a pull-out for parking right by the trail sign that will accommodate about 5 cars. From the trail sign head east then under the road - yes there are steps down as you exit the tunnel. From here just follow the wash to the Colorado River. This 3.3 mile out and back hike is not technical but does require good route finding around ledges, drop-offs and dry-falls. As you approach the dry-falls, the first two can be by-passed to the right and the third dry-fall to the left. Bring plenty of water and a good pair of hiking boots. As this is a wash and canyon hike, make sure you keep an eye on the weather and do not enter if it is raining or rain is in the forecast.
Next up on our southwest journey is Williams, Arizona and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Please enjoy our videos and Slideshow of Page, Arizona
AWESOME SLIDESHOW
ADVENTURE ON
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