Awesome Things to Do in Page, Arizona – A Family Weekend at Lake Powell
- Arika Bauer
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
If you’re looking for a fun oasis in the desert, look no further than Page, AZ! Page is just south of the Utah border right along the Colorado River on the edge of Lake Powell. From boating on the lake to paddling slot canyons to hiking among sandstone rock formations, you’ll find so many things to do in Page, Arizona for the whole family.
Things to Do in Page, Arizona Itinerary
My kiddos and I recently celebrated the start of summer by spending a long holiday weekend in Page, AZ. Page is about 2 hours east of Zion and sits on the southern end of Lake Powell, so it’s a fantastic destination for a summer visit to enjoy some time on the water. Here is our itinerary including all the best things to do in Page, Arizona for a family vacation.
Where to Stay in Page, Arizona
Lake Powell Resort
We spent our long weekend in Page at Lake Powell Resort. While the room itself was nothing special, we did have a truly incredible view from our room, and watching sunrise every morning from bed was such a treat.
The main attraction at Lake Powell Resort is definitely all the water fun! The resort has two pools, a hot tub, and access to the Wahweap Marina on the lake. You can also rent powerboats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and water toys (including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards) from the resort so you can play on the water.
THINGS TO NOTE: This hotel doesn’t get great reviews online and I do totally understand why. If you stay here, have low expectations for the service, rooms and food. Do stay here if you want incredible views of Lake Powell, if your kids love to swim, and you love the desert. The grounds here are beautiful. Also, renting a room with a view is a must.
Under Canvas: Lake Powell
I’ve also stayed at Under Canvas Lake Powell on a solo road trip from Zion National Park to Antelope Canyon and had a fantastic experience there. The property is stunning, with gorgeous views of Lake Powell, and the glamping tents are lovely with comfortable beds and private bathrooms.
The staff at Under Canvas are really friendly and helpful with whatever you need to get the lay of the land. They have an onsite cafe with tasty food and drinks, and you can enjoy live music on the patio in the evening along with yoga in the morning. You’ll even find a private slot canyon – Elephant Canyon – to explore right on the property.
NOTE: Under Canvas Lake Powell is open from mid-March to mid-October, but I do wonder if it would be uncomfortably hot in the middle of the summer, since the tents don’t have air conditioning.
Day 1 of Things to Do in Page, AZ
Check In & Enjoy the Pool
After driving in from near Zion National Park to Page, AZ, we checked into Lake Powell Resort and spent the remainder of our day just chilling and checking the place out. My kiddos definitely took full advantage of the two pools on the property!
The resort has several restaurants, ranging from the upscale Rainbow Room to the casual Wahweap Pizza Co., if you don’t feel like venturing out. Or take a 10-minute walk from the hotel to Latitude 37, a floating restaurant on the lake.
NOTE: The resort restaurants have varied seasonal hours, so be sure to check what’s open before you get hungry.
Day 2 of Things to Do in Page, AZ
Boat Rental on Lake Powell
One of the very best things to do in Page, Arizona is go boating on Lake Powell, so we rented a boat for a day from Lake Powell Resort. It was convenient since we were staying there, but it was also the cheapest boat rental I could find anywhere in the area at $500 for the day.
The rental process was pretty slow, and it took about an hour to actually get our boat, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your day. They have handy carts to load up your coolers and other things (don’t forget the sunscreen!) you want to bring on the boat.
We also rented a tube to tow behind the boat, and I highly recommend that. My kiddos loved being pulled around so, so much! It was absolutely worth the extra 60 bucks.
But our day didn't exactly go smoothly…about 30 minutes into our ride, my dad hit a low patch in the lake and ruined the propeller. It was devastating, and we totally thought our day was done.
However, we called the mechanic number they had given us just to see what they could do, and a maintenance boat came out. I was incredibly impressed with how quickly they changed the propeller. In about 45 minutes, we were back to cruising the lake!
During our day, we were able to find a spot to dock the boat for a bit so we could hike to Wahweap Window, a cool arch formation in the rocks. It’s about a 1.5 mile hike from the shore, and it was hot, so only my brother-in-law and I chose to do the hike (nobody else wanted to brave the sand and heat). I thought it was really neat and totally worth the hot hike though.
Despite a few hiccups, all in all, our boat rental day was a success!
Local Tip: If you don’t want to rent a boat, you can still enjoy Lake Powell from the shore in the Chains section of the lake – find out more in my blog post about The Chains here!
Day 3 of Things to Do Near Page, AZ
Insta-Famous Arch
If you’re on Instagram, you might have seen the “secret” cave in Page behind the Shell gas station that everyone’s been posting about. We wanted to check it out in person, but we decided to hit it up at 7 in the morning, so we didn't have to deal with the crazy crowds it attracts since it seems to be on everybody’s “things to do in Page, Arizona” list right now!
It’s just a tenth of a mile hike from the Big Lake Trading post at the Shell station to the entrance of this cave, so it’s worth checking out for a quick stop. From inside the cave, you can get some cool photos if you time your visit right to all the other people also seeking those same shots.
Hanging Garden Trail
We also hiked the Hanging Garden trail in Glen Canyon Recreation Area. It’s a short hike that’s pretty unremarkable most of the way, but the garden growing out of the cliff at the end was really fun to see.
Hanging Garden Trail Details
Distance: 1.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Location: The trailhead is off of Highway 89, just east of the Glen Canyon Bridge.
Beehive Trail
The Beehive Trail is another one of the best hikes in Page, AZ that the whole family will enjoy. The kiddos had a great time exploring this short trail that winds over the slickrock among the beautiful sandstone rock formations.
Beehive Trail Details
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~200 feet
Location: This trail is also in Glen Canyon Recreation Area, and the trailhead is just past the Beehives campground along a dirt road off of US-89 before the turnoff to Wahweap South Entrance.
Day 4 of Things to Do in Page, AZ
Slot Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon tops a lot of lists of the best things to do in Page, AZ, and I’ve done the famous Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour before and honestly thought it was overhyped for the price. So this time we did a tour of Antelope Canyon X with Taadidiin Tours for a different experience in the canyon.
This tour was way less expensive than the famous Lower & Upper Antelope Canyon Tours (I paid $150 per person for those tours, while this was just $45 for adults). and I felt like it was just as good as those tours.
Taadidiin Tours is the only guide service which offers access to Antelope Canyon X, and the Navajo guides share a deeper understanding of this area that is the native home of the Navajo Nation.
Read more about my other Antelope Canyon tour experience here!
More Epic Adventures Around Page, AZ
Even though we fit a lot into our long weekend, there are lots of other amazing things to do in Page, Arizona that we didn’t have a chance to check out on this trip. If you’re planning a longer stay or another visit to Page, here are some suggestions:
See the Horseshoe Bend Overlook
Horseshoe Bend is a famously gorgeous section of the Colorado River that curves around a sandstone formation right near Page, AZ. You might have seen it in photos, but, believe me, the view from the overlook is even more stunning in person. The hike to the overlook is only 1.5 miles round trip on a packed dirt trail, so it’s easy for kiddos to join.
This is an extremely popular spot, so the trailhead parking lot (just off US-89 about 5 miles outside Page) can fill up. Try to come around sunrise or sunset to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy the beautiful views.
Kayak Horseshoe Bend
Instead of just seeing it from above, you can get a totally different perspective by paddling down the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend. When I did this, we rented our kayaks from Kayak Horseshoe Bend and used their backhaul services to launch into the river, and it was an awesome experience!
I recommend getting there earlier in the day though, so that you can go all the way to Horseshoe Bend to make it a full day activity. We started in the afternoon and had to cut our trip short due to limited time.
Hike Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon
We did the Antelope Canyon X tour, but another option is hiking Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. You must go on a tour, and since these are more popular areas, the tours are significantly more expensive (and I’m not convinced it’s worth it).
Paddle Antelope Canyon
You can also paddle board through Antelope Canyon, and you can do this without a guide in the sections that are not part of the protected Navajo Nation. I think this is really one of the best ways to explore Antelope Canyon, since you get to spend time on the water as well as hike through a gorgeous slot canyon.
Read my full guide to paddle boarding Antelope Canyon here!
Explore the Wave
The Wave formation sits right between the towns of Page, AZ and Kanab, UT (about an hour away from both) in the Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. If you’re lucky enough to snag a highly-coveted permit to do this iconic hike, the unique undulating red and white sandstone will take your breath away.
If you aren’t able to get permits for The Wave, Buckskin Gulch & Wire Pass Trail makes a great alternative hike through stunning slot canyons. The hike starts from the same trailhead as The Wave, and while permits are also required, they are not competitive, and you can purchase them online or at the trailhead.
If you’re hiking The Wave, I recommend checking out some of the other adventurous things to do in Kanab, too!
Where to Eat in Page, Arizona
Lake Powell Espresso
We went to Lake Powell Espresso every morning…I just love this cute little coffee shop! Along with amazing specialty lattes,, they have a tasty breakfast menu with breakfast burritos, loaded bagels, and even cookie butter waffles. They also have paninis and wraps, which are perfect to grab for lunch on the go while adventuring in Page.
Beaver Taco
Beaver Taco is in a gas station, but don’t be fooled by the lack of frills…the food is super good! The extensive menu includes all the classic Mexican fare, from burritos to tacos to enchiladas to combo plates. Plus, it’s just 5 minutes from Lake Powell Resort, so it’s extremely convenient if you’re staying there.
Big John’s Texas BBQ
We checked out Big John’s Texas BBQ one night during our weekend in Page. The atmosphere was a lot of fun, with funky Western decor, outdoor picnic table seating, and live music. The barbeque itself is pretty good and will fill you up, but (honestly) it’s nothing amazing.
BirdHouse
If you like fried chicken, you have to have a meal at BirdHouse while you’re in Page! This casual spot for lunch or dinner features original, spicy, or honey butter chicken and offers chicken boxes or family meals with your pick of sides. The chicken sandwich, sauces, and fries were amazing, and the chicken goes great with the rotating selection of ice cold beer.
Tips for Visiting Page, AZ with Kids
A Page, AZ family vacation is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for your kiddos, especially if they love water! Here are a few tips to make sure you have the best time possible:
The best time to visit Page is in the late spring/early summer or late summer/early fall. Even though you can jump in Lake Powell or paddle the river to cool off, the middle of summer is just so hot in the desert that it might be too much.
If you want to get incredible photos of some of the most iconic sights in Page, like Horseshoe Bend, I recommend going in the early morning for the best light and smaller crowds.
And even though Page is in the desert, the real draw here is all the water-based activities on Lake Powell and the Colorado River. Kids will have an absolute blast splashing around on water toys or even the hotel pool, like mine did!
My kiddos & I had such a fun long weekend in Page, and I hope this itinerary of all the things to do in Page, Arizona helps inspire you to plan your own trip to explore this area of the desert southwest!
Happy Adventuring,
Arika
