Utah is home to 5 national parks and beautiful landscapes everywhere you look!
Utah Tips:
Check out my Utah road trip itinerary blog here to plan a fantastic adventure across the state!
Be very mindful of the time of year you plan to visit—summers can be excruciatingly hot in the desert and winters mean lots of snow. May and September are great times to visit.
Be mindful of the elevation—Salt Lake City sits at 4,265ft and Bryce Canyon averages 8000ft for example. Give your body time to adjust if you’re traveling from somewhere closer to sea level.
When visiting the 5 National Parks you’ll need a national park pass or pay to enter. If you don’t have a pass paying $35 one time will grant you park entries for a week.
Be sure to check park alerts. Things change rapidly with weather, erosion and more. Each park’s website will list closures and other issues that may arise.
Look up at night! Utah is home to very dark skies that allow for fantastic stargazing throughout the state, especially near the parks.
Utah has a wild amount of beer laws that seem pretty bizarre compared to the rest of the country. They can’t sell draft beer above 5% ABV, but they can sell canned beer with higher ABV. You’re not allowed to bring in any empty vessels to taprooms, so leave your refillable water bottles in the car. There are separate spaces for bars and restaurants that are required to have separate entrances, so choose your vibe ahead of time.
Download offline maps ahead of your trip to ensure you can get directions from point a to point b since a lot of Utah is pretty remote with spotty phone service.
Doing a road trip? Check out my Grand Canyon, Sedona and Las Vegas guides!
Moab: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point STate Park
Arches National Park
Arches is an iconic park full of—you guessed it—arches! You also have nice views of the surrounding La Sal Mountains. It’s a small park that you can drive from one end to the other in 30 minutes without stopping. Everything in Arches is quiet exposed so be sure to wear sunscreen, bring plenty of water, and try to avoid hiking during the hottest times of the day.
You’ll need a timed entry pass to enter the park between 7am and 4pm April 1st to October 31st. This helps to reduce crowds and traffic. If you are unable to get a pass you can enter without it before 7am or after 4pm.
Recommendations:
Delicate Arch Trail: This trail is 3.5 miles long with 630ft of elevation gain and takes about 1.5 hours. It is rated moderate and has a relatively steep climb up slickrock in one section. It is a popular trail, but it’s the most iconic arch there is so it’s worth it! Highly recommend climbing up to the little peek through window right before you round the corner to the arch. There are also petroglyphs near the trailhead.
Devil’s Garden Trail: This trail is 8 miles long with 1,086ft of elevation gain and takes about 3.5 hours. The trailhead housed at the end of the park, about 30 minutes from the entrance. It is rated hard and is the longest and most difficult trail in the park—but don’t let that deter you it’s really just walking through thick sand that is hard and there is one section of scrambling. You can also just do shorter segments of this trail if that is more of a fit; most folks just go to Landscape Arch and turn around, making the primitive trail incredibly quiet.
Going counter clockwise you will hit Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch and then transition to the primitative trail with thick sand. From here you’ll come to Private Arch, Double O Arch, Black Arch Overlook, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, and then back to Landscape Arch on your way back to the trailhead. You can also add on Black Angel.
See Balanced Rock: This is a quick, neat stop off the main road with a massive rock balancing.
Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail: This trail is 1 mile long with 154ft of elevation gain and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is rated easy and tends to be crowded because it’s accessible with large arches. You’ll see North Window, South Window and Turret Arch, which are all quite cool. You can also make this a longer loop with a primitive trail.
Panorama Point: A beautiful viewpoint with sweeping views of the area.
Explore the Fiery Furnace: There is no set trail in the fiery furnace and you have to have a permit to enter or go via a ranger-led tour. I opted for the ranger-led experience to get to learn more about the area and see things I might not find on my own (since there is no trail). We hiked about 3 miles with 500ft of elevation gain on this ranger route. It is a pretty awesome experience with some tight slot canyons, Twin Arch, Surprise Arch and some technical maneuvering. They keep these groups very small and release tickets 1 week in advance.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is divided into different districts by the rivers and each section is quite far apart. Island in the Sky is the area closest to Moab and where most folks go, but it is still incredibly quiet in this entire park. The Needles is further south and a lot emptier. To the east is The Maze and then there are the rivers themselves.
Island in the Sky
This section is 45 minutes west of Moab and has similar vibes to the Grand Canyon. It can get quite windy here being in a canyon so watch your hats and wear layers. You could easily hit everything you’d like to do here in half of a day.
Green River Overlook: A scenic spot where the Colorado River and Green River meet.
White Rim Overlook Trail: This trail is 1.8 miles long with 160ft of elevation gain and takes about 45 minutes to complete. It takes you out to a nice viewpoint of the rim with the La Sal Mountains in the background.
Grand View Point Trail: The Grand View Trail and Viewpoint is at the end of the park. There is a 1 mile each way flat trail along the rim or you can just soak in the viewpoint.
Mesa Arch Trail: This trail is .9 miles long with 88ft of elevation gain and takes about 20 minutes to complete. It is rated easy and is a popular spot to see sunrise. This is a little arch overlooking the canyon.
The Neck: A cool viewpoint especially in the afternoon with the way the sun hits. You’ll see a sign for this on the main road.
The Needles District
This area is 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Moab with vastly different scenery. You’ll pass Wilson Arch about 30 minutes south of Moab which is a nice large arch right off the road. Newspaper Rock is right before the park with petroglyphs. Keep your eyes peeled for cows on the road once you get close to the park!
Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail: This trail is 6.6 miles long with 1,151ft of elevation gain and takes just under 3 hours to complete. It is an interesting hike with changing views throughout. It is rated as moderate and you can also double the length by doing the loop trail instead of just the viewpoint trail. The last chunk of the road leading to the trailhead is unpaved and quite curvy but you don’t need four wheel drive to get through it.
Dead Horse Point State Park
This state park is 13 miles from the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands on the same road. It’s a great tack-on after Canyonlands. It is a tiny little park—it’s only 3 miles from the entrance to the end. Dead Horse Point is a popular spot for sunset which is absolutely gorgeous! There are also yurts here, a few short hiking trails as well as mountain biking trails. The entrance fee is $20 if you don’t have a Utah parks pass.
Moab Recommendations:
An outdoorsy town that’s the gateway to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It is very conveniently located and full of restaurants, bars and hotels.
Moab Garage Co.: A very cute spot for breakfast, lunch, coffee and ice cream.
Proper Brewing & Burger Company: A solid brewery with fantastic burgers. They have a nice back patio and cocktails as well.
Fisher Towers Trail: This trail is 5.5 miles long with 1469ft of elevation gain. It is rated hard and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete. The trailhead is 40 minutes from Moab up near Castle Valley and the drive out is gorgeous alongside the Colorado River and then out to the red rocks. This is a very quiet trail with absolutely amazing views—I highly recommend it!
Moab Brewery: An average brewery with a full food menu. They also have a distillery next door. It is a popular spot and a nice place for a post-hike beer.
Horsethief Coffee: A cute coffeeshop with a nice outdoor seating area right outside of Arches. They open earlier than everyone else in town which is nice if you’re heading into the park in the morning. They have coffee, tea, breakfast and to-go lunch options.
Spanish Valley Vineyard and Winery: A nice winery just south of downtown. They offer tastings with 6 pours for $20, glasses or bottles. Be sure to check out the back patio for nicer views.
Corona and Bow Tie Arch Trail: This trail is 3 miles long with 500ft of elevation gain. It is rated as moderate and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The trailhead is 20 minutes from downtown Moab alongside the Colorado River. It is a quiet trail that is very open and exposed leading to a very large arch. You can also add on Pinto Arch for a longer hike.
Canyon Pizza Co.: A delicious spot for pizza!
DoughBird: A popular spot for doughnuts, chicken sandwiches and coffee. The doughnuts are “fancy” and absolutely fantastic!
Big Horn Lodge: A nice spot to stay that feels very “national park” style. They have a pool, it’s very clean, and it’s a 5 minute walk to Moab Brewery.
Spitfire Smokehouse + Taps: A BBQ restaurant and bar. The tap list here is solid and their cocktails are popular. The food is just average.
Red Rocky Bakery & Cafe: A solid spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch. They move pretty slowly so this isn’t the spot if you’re in a rush, but the food is great.
Moab Food Truck Park: A park with numerous food trucks. They tend to all be open for lunch but only some are open for dinner.
Scout Lookout at Zion
Zion National Park
Zion has a dramatic landscape and is different from the neighboring parks because it is much more green! Don’t let the trees fool you though, you’re still in the desert so be sure to hydrate. The park is small with not too many different trails. The Kolob Canyons section of the park has a separate entrance to the west and sees far fewer visitors.
There is a park shuttle that is required for use up the main road of the park during most of the year. It takes 40 minutes to get from the Visitor’s Center to the end of the park, shuttle stop 9. The shuttle comes frequently and is easy to use, just don’t miss the last one at the end of the day.
The Narrows and Angel’s Landing are the two most talked about hikes here and the two most difficult to actually be able to complete:
The Narrows is a hike in the river that is closed each year for a varying amount of time due to snowmelt and the river moving too quickly. You can see the historic opening and closing dates on the park website. If The Narrows is “a must” for you, plan your trip in late summer or fall.
Angel’s Landing requires a permit which you can only get via a lottery. There are seasonal lotteries and day before lotteries you can enter—the more entries the higher your chance of winning. If you don’t get a permit you can still hike 4/5ths of the same trail via Scout Lookout (below).
Recommendations:
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail: This trail is 1.5 miles long with 187ft of elevation gain and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is rated as moderate but is really quite easy. This is a popular trail because it’s short but the stunning views make it a must do in the park! The trailhead is 10 minutes from the east entrance of the park, just don’t miss the parking options otherwise you’ll have to drive all the way through the tunnel, turn around and come back.
Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail: This trail is 4.5 miles long with 1,115ft of elevation gain and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. It is rated as hard due to the steep climb up and Walter’s Wiggles, a series of 21 steep switchbacks near the summit. There are sweeping views from the top. It is a very exposed trail so be sure to bring sun protection and lots of water. Although this is rated as hard it is mostly paved along the way and there are plenty of spots to take breaks from the climb. There is a bathroom both at the trailhead and just past the Wiggles. The trailhead is shuttle stop 6. This is a great alternative if you’re unable to attain a permit for Angel’s Landing, since it shares 4/5ths of the exact same trail.
Camp Outpost: A great spot for lunch or dinner with a view. They also have great cocktails and a solid beer list. The food menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches and rotisserie. I enjoyed this spot so much I visited twice!
Zion Canyon Brew Pub: Walk across the pedestrian bridge from the Visitor’s Center towards Zion Village and bam you’re at a brewery! They have a great patio and solid beers. The Brown Ale should not be missed. The food here is average, but the beers and views were worth it.
Deep Creek Coffee Company: A nice spot for breakfast, lunch, coffee and smoothies. They have a great upper deck as well. You can order online ahead of time to skip the potential line!
The Watchman Trail: This trail is 3.5 miles long with 636ft of elevation gain and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is rated as moderate and has really nice views. Early morning is the ideal time for this hike because the sun on the surrounding mountains is gorgeous and the trail is still quiet. The trailhead is at the Visitor’s Center making it super convenient!
Emerald Pools Trail: This trail is 3.4 miles long with 700ft of elevation gain and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is rated as moderate and is extraordinarily popular. There was a bridge out when I visited so the trail was not a loop and was slightly longer than what it would have been and this also led to more crowds with everything being out and back. It starts out with a nice walk above the Virgin River and then you’ll head to each of the pools. The Upper Emerald Pool is the best with a large waterfall, the Lower is also cool with a smaller waterfall you can walk under, and the Middle is very lame. Overall I was not super impressed with this trail but it was nice to sit at the waterfall.
Perks! Coffee, Espresso and Smoothies: This is also located in Zion Village right across the pedestrian bridge from the Visitor’s Center. They have a small breakfast and lunch menu, coffee, ice cream and smoothies.
The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk: If The Narrows are closed during your visit you can still hike the riverside trail. This is rated easy and is at the end of the park, shuttle stop 9. The trail is 2 miles long with 200ft of elevation gain and takes about 40 minutes. It is a very popular trail but quite boring overall.
I stayed at this fantastic Airbnb in La Verkin which was about 25 minutes from the park entrance. It was only $77 a night and was full of great amenities and the nicest hosts! Highly recommend if you don’t want to pay the Springdale prices.
River Rock Roasting Company: A solid coffee drive-thru right across the street from the Airbnb. They also have a larger location about a mile away that’s open all day with pizzas and views.
Sand Hollow State Park
This state park is 45 minutes southwest of Zion. It is a large water reservoir surrounded by red rocks and with a view of the Pine Valley Mountains. The water is super clear (though chilly!) and very nice. The park is most visited for hanging out at the beach, camping and riding ATVs. It is $20 to enter without a Utah parks pass if you’re not a Utah resident.
Queens Garden at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a magical park full of colorful hoodos. This is definitely a park for layers—the elevation is much higher so it can be very hot one minute and super chilly and windy the next. It is a small park and just 18 miles from the park entrance to the end of the road. There is a park shuttle to alleviate parking issues during the busy season, but I did not find it necessary. Keep your eyes peeled for prairie dogs in the road if you’re driving! This is probably the most isolated park with not too much around, but there is shockingly great phone service here.
Recommendations:
Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop to Peekaboo Loop (Figure 8): This trail is 7.5 miles long with 1500ft of elevation gain. It is rated as moderate but is pretty strenuous with constant ups and downs throughout. It takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the Figure 8, but you can also break it up and just do a smaller loop. The trailhead is at Sunset Point which has a beautiful view of the entire area. Next the trail heads straight down into Queens Garden amongst the hoodoos before getting to the valley floor. Peekaboo Loop is much quieter than Queens Garden since most people don’t do the full Figure 8 Loop and there is a bathroom at the midway point of Peekaboo. After this is The Wall of Windows which is quite neat. The trail ends with a series of pretty steep switchbacks alongside Thor’s Hammer.
Fairyland Loop Trail: This trail is 8.7 miles long with 1,545ft of elevation gain and takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete. It is rated moderate and is very quiet. It truly does look like a fairytale along this trail—there are views all around and the hoodoos are beautiful. Although this is technically a bit longer and steeper than the Figure 8 it was much easier since it’s not constantly up and down. The parking lot at the trailhead is just before the park gates and is tiny, but you can also park near the general store and hop on the trail which has far more parking. There is no bathroom at the trailhead and it is recommended to take the trail clockwise.
Drive the Southern Scenic Drive: The only road heading south takes you 15 miles to the end of the park from Inspiration Point. There are numerous viewpoints and pull offs along the way, be sure not to miss Natural Bridge. The road ends at Rainbow and Yovimpa Viewpoints which is much higher elevation and has beautiful views.
Mossy Cave, Turret Arch and Little Windows Trail: This trail is 1.4 miles long with 121ft of elevation gain. It is rated as easy and takes about 40 minutes to complete. It is outside of the park gate on the main road nearby, but still technically part of the park. It is a popular trail because it is short and easy, but there is plenty of overflow parking and it’s worth checking out. The walk along the river is nice and then at the fork to the left is Mossy Cave which is underwhelming and to the right is the top of the waterfall and a view of Little Windows and Turret Arch in the hoodoos. You can also go down close to the falls and under them.
Lower, Mid and Upper Inspiration Points Trail: This trail is .8 miles long with 134ft of elevation gain. It takes 15 minutes to complete and is rated easy. Each viewpoint has a nice lookout above Figure 8 trail. This is on the Rim Trail which connects to everything else so you could add this on to another hike if you’d like.
Watch the sunset at Sunset Point or the sunrise at Sunrise Point: This is definitely more of a park for sunrise than sunset. Sunset was a bit disappointing with not quite the glow that was expected.
Valhalla Pizzeria: A pizza joint at the lodge with counter service. They also have salad and some snacks on the menu. The pizza is average but with not much around it gets the job done!
The General Store: A nice stop for anything you might need—sandwiches, coffee, beer, groceries, souvenirs and more!
Bryce Country Cabins: This is a nice spot to stay 13 miles from the park entrance in Tropic. The cabins are clean and relatively new. The area just outside the park is very touristy so this is a nice reprieve, but there is not much in the area.
Bryce Canyon Coffee Company: The only coffee shop in town but skip it. They have a small food menu that is all premade and does not look great. The iced latte was truly awful.
Red Canyon (Dixie National Forest)
This is part of Dixie National Forest and is 20 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park. It is directly on the way if you’re traveling from Zion to Bryce. There is no entrance fee to access this area. It is incredibly quiet here with next to no people.
Pink Ledges, Bird’s Eye and Photo Trail Loop: This trail is 2.4 miles long with 338ft of elevation gain and takes about 1 hour to complete. It is rated moderate and you could also just do smaller segments of the trail if that’s your preference. Pink Ledges is an awesome section of somewhat pink red rock with unique texture.
Red Canyon Arch: You’ll pass through two arches in the road from Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon—they are quite a sight!
Spooky Slot Canyon
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
This is a large, beautiful area of protected land that sits between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. There is zero phone service in this area so be sure to be prepared.
Recommendations:
Dry Fork Narrows, Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons Trail: This trail is 5.5 miles long with 650ft of elevation gain and takes just under 3 hours to complete. It is rated as moderate, which the hiking part is, but the slot canyons themselves are very difficult. Dry Fork Narrows is the easiest, it’s a relatively wide and flat canyon. It is the coolest “hike” I’ve ever done and would highly recommend! Peekaboo is the most difficult and is basically rock climbing at points—you’ll need to be able to pull your body up over rock ledges. Spooky is very, very narrow—there is a sign at the trailhead that says if you can’t fit through this gap you won’t make it, take that seriously. This is not a trail for kids, dogs, anyone not in shape, or anyone even mildly claustrophobic.
The road out to the trailhead is pretty horrible. It’s a washboard and would be impassable after/during rain. It would be much easier to navigate in a high clearance car, but you can make it in a sedan. I’d recommend parking at the upper parking lot instead of the lower like AllTrails says because it is less driving on the road and it is closer to the canyons. Keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes in the slot canyons!
Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail: This trail is 6.8 miles long with 531ft of elevation gain and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It is rated as moderate and is a very exposed trail, so try to avoid the peak afternoon heat. The waterfall at the end is very nice and there is a little pool you can swim in/enter, but beware that it is very cold water!
You’ll need a National Park Pass or pay $5 to park at the trailhead. This is a pretty popular area for camping and hiking, so expect to see many other people.
Cassidy Arch at Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is a small park that is not quite as exciting as the others in the state but still worth a visit. There isn’t a park gate here and the road through the park is a main traveling road which is a bit odd. Capitol Reef is an interesting combination of elements found in other parks—arches, natural bridges and canyons.
Recommendations:
Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead combined with Cassidy Arch Trail: Together this trail was 7.5 miles long with 1007ft of elevation gain. It is moderate overall and takes about 3.5 hours to complete. The Grand Wash section is an easy stroll through the wash with tall canyon walls. The Cassidy Arch section starts off steep and then mostly levels off and leads to a huge arch. Be sure to go out on top of the arch and to also walk just past the arch for a nice sweeping view. Overall there is a lot of sun exposure on this trail so go early and bring lots of water.
The Grand Wash Trail itself is 5 miles long with 341ft of elevation gain and is rated easy. This trail is very quiet. The Cassidy Arch Trail itself is 3.1 miles long with 666ft of elevation gain and is rated moderate. This trail is more popular but not crowded. There is no bathroom at the northeast trailhead for Grand Wash but there is a bathroom at the Cassidy Arch trailhead.
Hickman Bridge Trail: This trail is 2.1 miles long with 416ft of elevation gain. It sakes about 50 minutes to complete and is rated moderate. It is essentially a short uphill walk to a large natural bridge. It is a popular trail but not crowded by any means. There are also nice views of Capitol Dome.
Panorama Point: A nice viewpoint of the surrounding area. It is not “epic” but it is worth a stop.
Goosenecks Overlook: This viewpoint is at the end of the same road that Panorama Point sits on. The goosenecks are tight curves in the river that you can see from above. The surrounding views are also nice.
Stay in Torrey:
Red Sands Hotel and Spa: A nice and well-priced hotel with a pool, fire pit, nice views and thoughtful amenities. It is 10 miles from the National Park.
Chak Balam Mexican Restaurant: A delicious spot for Mexican eats, highly recommend for dinner!
Dark Sky Coffee: A drive-thru or walk-up coffee shop with a small food menu. The coffee is great, food is a bit bland.
Grid City Beer Works
Salt Lake City Recommendations:
Templin Family Brewing: A stellar brewery with a wide variety of beers but superb Lagers. This is a popular spot with frequent food trucks, a small snack menu and cocktails. They have a nice back patio space as well.
Epic Brewing Company: Epic is most known for their big Stouts and have been in the beer game for ages. Their SLC taproom does not have any taps because of Utah’s wild beer laws, but they have a huge menu of bottles and cans you can get pours from.
Grid City Beer Works: A great brewery with a Pilsner focus. They have a delicious food menu and lots of vegan options as well. The vibes here are a fun mix between classic brewery and restaurant, plus they have a rooftop deck.
Bonneville Salt Flats: The salt flats are pretty neat—they are the remnants of Lake Bonneville and it’s, well, salty and flat. They do car racing here occasionally, but otherwise you can just walk around and take in the sights and uniqueness. The best spot to access the salt flats is by just making a quick stop at the west bound rest area on I-80 West, about 1.5 hours from the SLC airport.
Bjorn’s Brew: A dog themed coffee shop in South Salt Lake. They have delicious coffee, a great breakfast menu, and they help save dogs.
Great Salt Lake State Park: This is a nice spot for sunset and to see the Great Salt Lake. There is not a quite a beach but you can access the water if you’d like, just keep in mind it is indeed very salty. There are also a ton of spiders in the area because of the salt, meaning the observation deck and surrounding rocks are covered in webs and eight legged critters. There is an entrance fee of $10 per car.
SaltFire Brewing Company: An average brewery with a small tap list and large can selection. They have frequent food trucks and events as well as a nice patio. Not a huge fan of breweries serving a canned IPA that is 4 months old personally.
Beer Zombies also has a location in Salt Lake City but the taproom has really terrible reviews.
Horseshoe Bend
Natural Bridges, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell
This is an add-on that ventures into northern Arizona and tribal land, but there are tons of great places to check-out in this section between Canyonlands and Zion.
Natural Bridges National Monument
This is an interesting area with several natural bridges along a short loop drive. You will need a national park pass or pay $20 to enter. You can do several short trails or one long hike along the Mesa Trail. Overall This is cool but not epic, so don’t go too far out of your way to check it out.
Sipapu Bridge Trail: This trail is 1 mile long with 260ft of elevation gain and takes about 25 minutes to complete. You can also hike all the way down under the bridge as well. This is a very large natural bridge and quite cool to see!
Kachina Bridge Trail: There are two options to view Kachina Bridge—the short paved trail to the overlook or the 1.5 mile/400ft of elevation gain trail to under the bridge. There is a bathroom at this trailhead.
Owachomo Bridge Trail: This is the easiest bridge to get down under with a .7 mile trail with 216ft of elevation gain. It is also a very large bridge and the trail takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
This tribal park is a scenic drive that takes about 1 hour to complete. It is a 17 mile loop on a slow, unpaved road. The entrance fee is $9 and you can reserve this online ahead of time. There are also guided tours of the area. There are also a couple of short hiking trails here. Overall I wasn’t super impressed and preferred the view from the road driving in of the park more than the park itself.
Page, Arizona Recommendations
Page is a great home base to explore Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. It is just across the border from Utah.
Antelope Canyon: This is a must do while in northern Arizona! Choose either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon and book a tour in advance. Tours are the only way to explore the canyons because they are on tribal land and there is flash flood danger. There are many different tour companies to choose from and they are all right around the same price. It is a skinny slot canyon that is incredibly colorful and sun beams come through like magic. This is a touristy activity but worth it.
Horseshoe Bend: This is a quick 1.6 mile mostly flat trail roundtrip that leads to the beautiful Horseshoe Bend. Be sure to go past the viewing platform for even better views. This is an extremely popular spot for sunset but sunrise is also very nice and I was the only person there. The entrance fee is $10 and although it is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area they do not accept national park passes. Look out for giant swarms of gnats.
Kayak Lake Powell: This is a pretty area to rent a kayak—there are a few different companies and I would recommend Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. The water is clear and beautiful and you can see some pretty large fish. There are a couple of beaches and Ice Cream Cone Slot Canyon is a cool spot to check out.
Water levels will determine where you can launch from. The Wahweap Marina boat launch is 15 minutes from downtown Page. Rentals are for all day from 8am to 6pm but you can go for as short or long as you’d like. They also offer kayak tours. Lake Powell is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area so you’ll need a national park pass or pay to enter. There is a restroom and water station at the top of the boat ramp.
Stay at this great Airbnb: The location is fantastic right near Horseshoe Bend, there are thoughtful amenities throughout, and it is only $87 a night!
State 48 Tavern: A nice spot for dinner and drinks. They have a solid front patio, all local craft beers on tap, and tasty food.
Grand Canyon Brewing & Distilling: An average brewery with a huge space and full food menu. They have a nice front patio, pool tables and shuffleboard. The service here needs some improvement but overall it’s a fine spot.
Lake Powell Espresso: A cute spot for coffee, breakfast, lunch and a bar at night.
