Top 10 Things to Do in Page Arizona (Including the Iconic Wave Hike)

Do you dream of sandstone and slot canyons? Do red rocks and desert landscapes get you stoked to explore? Then you NEED to visit Page, Arizona!

The list of adventurous things to do in Page is a long one, and it’s filled with some truly epic natural wonders, including the iconic Wave hike.

WHERE IS PAGE, ARIZONA?

The town of Page sits in the middle of Arizona just south of the Utah border. The closest cities with major airports to fly into are Las Vegas (4.5 hour drive), Flagstaff or Phoenix (3.5 or 5.5 hour drive), and Salt Lake City (6 hour drive).

Page is conveniently located to a lot of cool attractions in northern Arizona and southern Utah, so it makes a great basecamp for outdoor adventures.

WHEN TO VISIT PAGE, ARIZONA

Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit Page. The weather will typically be pleasant and perfect for hiking and exploring.

Winter can also be quite nice in Page. Chilly but sunny days are great for hiking, and a dusting of snow can make the red rock landscape look extra cool. Of course, you’ll also take the chance of having extra cold days or snowstorms that can inhibit travel on dirt roads.

Since Page is in the desert, summer can be extremely hot. While you might still be able to do some hiking if you start very early in the morning, you should limit your time outside since the heat can be extremely dangerous. Flash floods can also be a serious hazard in the summer if you’re planning to explore slot canyons.

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE, ARIZONA

You have a plethora of options for lodging in Page, AZ, with plenty of campgrounds as well as reasonably priced hotels. Which option you choose might depend on the season you visit Page.

When I hiked The Wave, we stayed in a hotel in Page, since it was winter. Temps at night were getting as low as 15°F, and we didn’t feel like camping in the cold.

If you visit Page during camping season, you can find camping in Glen Canyon Recreation Area, including the first-come/first serve Beehives Campground. For camping near The Wave, Stateline Campground is a fantastic spot located on BLM land just 5 minutes from the trailhead. The campground has 7 free sites which are first-come/first-served.

And these are just a couple of the many camping options in the Page area, from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping. (If you’re new to dispersed camping, check out our ultimate guide to free camping here!)

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN PAGE ARIZONA

Page, Arizona is a mecca for desert hiking and exploring, and these are the must-see places in and around the town.

1. HIKE THE WAVE

The Wave is THE iconic hike and main attraction in Page, AZ. I’d been wanting to hike The Wave for years, but the permits are extremely competitive, so it took a long time until I was lucky enough to snag one!

Note: A permit is absolutely required to hike The Wave, and they are extremely competitive to get. Read our detailed guide to getting a Wave permit here to find out how to snag one!

>>>And check out our full guide to Hiking The Wave here!

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2. HIKE WIRE PASS CANYON TO BUCKSKIN GULCH

If you can’t get a permit for The Wave, hiking Wire Pass Canyon to Buckskin Gulch is a great alternative through a cool slot canyon. In fact, this hike even starts from the same trailhead as The Wave.

Permits are still required for this hike, but they are far less popular than permits for The Wave. You can purchase a day use permit for Wire Pass Canyon ahead of time at recreation.gov or digitally at the trailhead.

3. MARVEL AT HORSESHOE BEND

You’ve probably seen Horseshoe Bend in breathtaking pictures all over social media, and when you visit Page, Arizona, you can see it for yourself! This amazing overlook on the Colorado River is located just south of downtown Page, and it is extremely popular.

The hike to the Horseshoe Bend overlook is only 1.5 miles round trip on an accessible trail, so it’s a worthwhile visit for just about anyone. And the view of the bright blue river curving through the red rock formations is a memory that will last a lifetime!

Note: Parking is $10/vehicle, and though the parking lot is large, it can fill up on busy weekends and holidays.

4. CHECK OUT THE TOADSTOOL HOODOOS

For a quick and easy hike in a unique landscape, visit the Toadstool hoodoos. These interesting rock formations that look like giant mushrooms are located about half an hour northwest of Page, AZ across the state line in Utah.

The hike to the hoodoos is just a mile and a half round trip, and you can explore the toadstools from all angles to your heart’s content.

5. EXPLORE ANTELOPE CANYON

Another one of the amazing things to do in Page is taking a tour of Antelope Canyon. There are two sections of Antelope Canyon – the Upper and Lower – and the only way to visit Antelope Canyon is through an authorized tour guide.

Antelope Canyon is truly stunning, but the tours are pricey and book out ahead of time, so it’s definitely an adventure you have to plan for.

5. SPLASH IN LAKE POWELL

Lake Powell is right outside downtown Page, so you really can’t miss it while you’re here. Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir that is an absolute playground for water sports, from swimming to SUPing to boating and even waterskiing!

If you don’t have a boat, you can still enjoy playing on the shore of Lake Powell and splashing in the water, especially in The Chains area.

Note: There is a $30/vehicle fee to enter Lake Powell, since it is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This fee is for a 7-day pass, so you can visit other attractions in Glen Canyon during the week. If you have an America the Beautiful annual national parks pass, that can be used to enter without paying the fee.

6. VISIT GLEN CANYON DAM

Glen Canyon Dam is what created Lake Powell, and it also regulates the water flowing to states along the Colorado River. When you’re in Page, AZ you can stop at the visitor center to learn a lot more about the Glen Canyon Dam. And one of the coolest things to do in Page is take a short hike to Glen Canyon Overlook to see the massive dam in person!

7. DISCOVER WATERHOLES CANYON

Waterholes Canyon is a gorgeous slot canyon that makes a wonderful alternative to Antelope Canyon. A guided tour is required for the upper section of East Waterholes, while you can explore the lower part of East Waterholes on your own with a backcountry permit. Waterholes Canyon is far less crowded than Antelope Canyon, and tours don’t sell out as fast.

8. FIND A HIDDEN OASIS AT THE HANGING GARDENS

This hike is unique in the desert of Arizona, since it features a natural spring which allows plants to grow on the cliffside. The lush vegetation nestled in the sandstone is really neat! The hike to Hanging Gardens is short and easy, so it’s definitely worth adding to your list of things to do in Page.

Note: Hanging Gardens is located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and there is a $30/vehicle to enter. This fee is for a 7-day pass, so you can visit other attractions in Glen Canyon during the week. If you have an America the Beautiful annual national parks pass, that can be used to enter without paying the fee.

9. EXPLORE GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast wilderness area near Page that encompasses tons of adventure opportunities in its 1.87 million acres. You can find many amazing hikes in this area, from slot canyons to slickrock, but just be aware that a lot of trailheads are only accessible via dirt roads.

If you have a capable vehicle for the backcountry roads, you can take some incredible scenic drives through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You can also go backcountry camping here if you get a free overnight permit.

10. HIKE THE BEEHIVE TRAIL

This short loop trail showcases the sandstone formations the desert near Page is known for. In fact, the undulating rock here is sometimes referred to as the “New Wave.” The Beehive Trail is generally an easy hike, but it does head over slickrock for a lot of it, so navigating can be a bit of a challenge.

Note: The Beehive Trail is located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and there is a $30/vehicle to enter. This fee is for a 7-day pass, so you can visit other attractions in Glen Canyon during the week. If you have an America the Beautiful annual national parks pass, that can be used to enter without paying the fee.

DESERT HIKING PACKING LIST

Here are some of the most important things you’ll want to bring when hiking in the desert around Page, AZ, but it is not a comprehensive list. Check out my essential day hiking packing list below for everything you should take on a day hike.

*Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links.

1) Daypack: You’ll want to bring a daypack when hiking in the desert of Arizona, so that you can carry plenty of water and the other things on this list, like sunscreen. My favorite daypack is the Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL .

2) CamelBak and Nalgene: Hydration is crucial in the desert, and a CamelBak is the easiest way to stay hydrated while you’re hiking. I definitely recommend getting one that has at least a 3 liter reservoir. You should also bring a Nalgene or other water bottle for backup if your CamelBak leaks or to use for electrolytes.

3) Hiking Umbrella: On our recent Rim-to-Rim hike, we got so many compliments and jealous glances from other hikers when they saw our Gossamer Gear hiking umbrellas. These lightweight umbrellas are designed to protect you from the sun, and you can hold them or get an attachment to clip them to your pack. This umbrella would come in handy when hiking in the desert where most hikes don’t have much shade – this way you can make your own!

4) Approach Shoes: For desert environments like you’ll find in Arizona and southern Utah, lightweight, breathable footwear is what you want. Approach shoes like the Black Diamond Mission LT have extra sticky rubber soles that are ideal for hiking on the slickrock that you’ll find on many trails here.

5) Sunglasses: The blazing sun of the desert is bright, so you’ll definitely need sunglasses to protect your eyes. I love Goodr sunglasses because they don’t slip, even if you’re sweaty, and they come in really fun colors and patterns.

6) Sunscreen: Sunscreen is an absolute must in when you’re outside in the desert. I prefer Neutrogena sunscreen , but just make sure to bring what works for you – and plenty of it to reapply! I also recommend bringing lip balm with SPF – my favorite kind is from Joshua Tree .

7) Electrolytes: Along with staying hydrated with water in the desert, you need to make sure you replenish your electrolytes, especially when you sweat a lot. Nuun tablets are my fave, and Skratch Labs are another good choice.

8) Sun Shirt: Except in the slot canyons, you won’t find a lot of shade on most desert hikes, so the sun will most likely be beating down on you a lot of the time. A sun shirt, like the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie or the Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Shirt , will protect you from the rays and help keep you cool.

9) Headlamp: I always recommend bringing a headlamp, even if you’re not intending to be out in the dark, just in case. The Petzl Actik Core is my go-to choice to light up the trail.

10) GPS: It’s very easy to get off track on desert trails, so It’s always smart to at least use an app like Gaia GPS to keep you on track, even if you don’t have a dedicated handheld GPS device.

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DOWNLOAD OUR HIKING PACKING CHECKLIST

So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!

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Hope this list of things to do in Page, Arizona helps you plan an amazing adventure!

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Cheers,

Allison - She Dreams of Alpine

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