Set in the heart of America’s fabled canyon country, the small city of Page, Arizona has become one of the biggest tourist hubs in the USA.
While Page itself has little to do and is home to just a small resident population of 7,000 people, the surrounding area is one of the most beautiful in the country.
Close to Page, you can find the incredible Horseshoe Bend, the otherworldly colors and rock formations of Antelope Canyon, and the human-made splendor of Glen Canyon Dam.
Of course, you’re never too far from the Grand Canyon, either. In Page, you can start to learn about the local Navajo culture, too. To inspire your trip to Arizona, here are the best things to do in Page, AZ!
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Southwest USA (Travel Guide)
Top 15 Things to Do in Page, Arizona
1. Learn About Indigenous Culture at the Navajo Village Heritage Center
Arizona was traditionally under the ownership of the Navajo people, and much of the land remains Navajo owned to this day.
One of the first things to do in Page, AZ is to visit the Navajo Village Heritage Center, where you can learn first-hand about the local history and culture.
Delve into Navajo traditions and enjoy cultural performances from the Navajo. You can catch dance performances, singing, and epic storytelling from the local people.
During your trip to Page, it’s always important to remember that this is the Navajo’s ancestral land; it’s important to learn more about their history and respect their culture and traditions at the same time.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona:
- Helicopter Flight Over Horseshoe Bend
- Airplane Tour of Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam
- Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend Airplane Air Only Tour
2. See Another Side of History at the John Wesley Powell River Museum
Another must in Page is to visit the John Wesley Powell River Museum. This will give you another insight into local history, although this time from the US, rather than the Navajo perspective.
The museum is primarily dedicated to John Wesley Powell, the first settler to lead an expedition up the Colorado River.
The museum tells his unique story (he was a one-armed Civil War Veteran!) but also focuses on the geological history of the river canyons and landscapes of Arizona.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: Bike Rentals in Page Arizona
3. Explore Lake Powell
Not far from Page, you can find the human-made reservoir named in honor of John Wesley Powell. Lake Powell was formed when the Glen Canyon Dam was constructed and spilled over into the adjacent Glen Canyon.
The second-largest human-made reservoir in the USA, it’s the perfect place to explore. There are beautiful recreational areas, boating opportunities, hiking trails, and so much more to enjoy at Lake Powell.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona:
- Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend Airplane Air Only Tour
- Lake Powell Wakesport Boat Charter
- Jeep Rubicon Adventure – Lake Powell – Page Arizona
4. Marvel at the Glen Canyon Dam
While the natural beauty of Arizona is astounding, the human-made beauty is also somewhat incredible to see. You’ll want to make time to marvel at the engineering wonder that is the Glen Canyon Dam.
This dam forced the formation of Lake Powell; it blocks the Glen Canyon, as it stands up to 700 feet tall.
The dam was built in the 1960s, and the city of Page grew around the dam to accommodate the workers, making this a vital piece of local history.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona:
- Airplane Tour of Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam
- Monument Valley Day Tour from Page, AZ
5. Visit the Carl Hayden Visitors Center
To learn more about the dam itself, you should visit the interesting Carl Hayden Visitors Center. Named for Arizona’s first representative, the visitors center tells the story of the dam’s construction.
From the center, you can take guided tours that go deeper into the dam’s facilities, for a closer look at its inner workings and construction.
6. Enjoy the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
The epic Glen Canyon Recreation Area covers an impressive 5000 square kilometers of land in the vicinity of Page.
The recreational area protects Lake Powell and much of the Colorado River as it carves its way through the majestic canyons.
There’s so much to do here; you could spend a lifetime hiking and exploring the exceptional natural scenery of the Glen Canyon.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona:
- Airplane Tour of Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam
- Arizona Desert Helicopter Tour Including Tower Butte Landing
- Colorado River Float Full-Day Trip
7. Behold the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Located in Coconino County, the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is one Arizona’s most astounding natural attractions.
These soaring cliffs have been shaped by the weather for thousands of years, and today they stand in stark contrast to the surrounding landscapes.
Composed of a multitude of rocks of different colors and textures, the cliffs rise to 6000 feet above sea level.
As well as the cliffs, there are jagged and distinct Buttes in the surrounding area, as well as remote canyons and dramatic rock formations.
It’s a great place for photography, bird watching (you might see an eagle!), and hiking.
8. Hike the Rimview Trail
One of the best things to do in Page, Arizona is to hike the ten-mile long Rimview Trail. This predominantly flat loop leads around the perimeter of the city itself, following the edge of the river canyon for much of its journey.
It’s a great way to get some perspective on how close to nature – and how surrounded by nature – Page actually is. You’ll have the city on one side and the deep gorges of the Colorado River canyons on the other.
Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy boots, as the trail can be rocky. Keep an eye out for wildlife and flora – especially snakes and wildflowers – that can often be found along the trail.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: The Sedona Experience – Hiking, Lunch and Wine Tasting
9. Photograph Horseshoe Bend
One of the most famous spots you can visit in Page is Horseshoe Bend. Located just a short drive away from Page, this startling piece of scenery is a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River framed by dramatically high canyon walls.
It’s an epic sight and one of the most photogenic scenes in Arizona, but, surprisingly, no one knew anything about it until just a few years ago.
Things changed quickly thanks to Instagram; now, you’re going to want to get here nice and early for the best pictures without the crowds.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: Arizona Highlights Day Trip: Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Glen Canyon with River Rafting
10. Hike Through Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another of the best things to do in Page AZ, and it’s arguably one of the most photogenic spots in the area.
Flash floods and weathering have created a unique subterranean landscape, where brightly colored sandstone canyons have been carved through the rocks over millennia.
You’ll recognize Antelope canyon from Instagram, too. This is Navajo territory, so you’re best joining up with a local guide or booking onto a photography excursion to safely reach the most beautiful parts of the canyon.
This area gets busy and tours get booked out way in advance. It’s also important to know the best way to visit Antelope Canyon, which is why we’ve put together this handy Antelope Canyon guide on traveling to this beautiful destination in Arizona.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona:
- Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket
- Antelope Canyon Tour with Tower Butte Helicopter Landing
- Day Trip to Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Zion National Park
11. Marvel at Waterholes Canyon
Waterholes Canyon is another marvelous slot canyon that you can find close to Page, Arizona. The canyons here are carved from sandstone and are beautiful in the right light, but deadly when it rains.
Much like Antelope Canyon, you’ll need a local Navajo guide to access the slot canyons for safety and because this is Navajo land.
Four-wheel drive tours often run out of Page, towards the canyon, while taking in other remote natural sights.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: White Pocket Private Tour – Vermilion’s Vortex Tour
12. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
One of the best things to do in Page, AZ is to explore the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. This incredible outdoor area is home to two distinct areas.
The dramatic Grand Staircase is incredibly remote, with dusty hiking trails leading to off the beaten track slot canyons and cliff edges.
This is a place for adventurers who love to get into the wilderness, but be careful, because it’s dry, arid, and inhospitable.
The other area is the Escalante Canyons. This part of the national monument is much more visited by tourists and tour groups, so it’s easier and safer to navigate and get around.
It’s stunning, too, being home to slot canyons, waterfalls, and beautiful sandstone arches and rock formations.
13. Rainbow Bridge National Monument
One of the best national monuments you can visit close to Page is the beautiful Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
This spectacular arch is found in the middle of nowhere, yet it looks like it’s been perfectly shaped by hand from the sandstone rock.
Rainbow Bridge is one of the tallest natural bridges in the world; it’s an absolutely stunning sight to take in in the deserts of Arizona.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: Airplane Tour of Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam
14. Explore Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
If you’re looking for a great day trip when you’re exploring Page, why not take a trip across the state lines to Colorado’s spectacular Canyons of the Ancients National Monument?
This monumental area was once home to the Pueblo people, who carved ancient rock dwellings from the cliffs.
The archeological remains are some of the best-preserved in the Americas and tell the story of an ancient, yet civilized people.
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: Bryce Canyon National Park Day Tour from Page, AZ
15. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon really isn’t too far away from Page; in fact, it’s the same mighty Colorado River you follow from the city to reach this most iconic of American tourist attractions.
You can easily drive from Page to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in less than three hours, which is fairly good going in this remote part of the USA!
Enjoy breathtaking views of the deepest canyon in the world before heading back to Page or road-tripping further into the United States!
Our Top Recommended Tours in Page Arizona: Grand Canyon Day Tour from Page, AZ
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Article by David Stock
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