Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the City of Page are located in northern Arizona, close to the Utah border.
They're often visited by travelers who explored the Grand Canyon first, but they shouldn’t be overlooked.
During this tour, you’ll find geological wonders, hikes, scenic vistas, and so much more.
The most well-known feature in this area is Horseshoe Bend.
There, the Colorado River eroded its way through beautiful sandstone creating a thousand-foot cliff overlooking a stunning rock formation.
The City of Page is a lot more than gorgeous views, it has a fascinating history!
Did you know it was first built as a temporary housing site for construction workers building the Glen Canyon Dam?
Shutterstock Image
With Shaka Guide Tours, you’ll have the freedom to explore on your own terms.
You can make every stop we recommend, or pick and choose what you want. It’s your day, so take your time and enjoy the ride.
With over 14 stops, this tour takes one to four hours to complete.
That’s around an hour of driving time, with more time for you to explore all this beautiful place here has to offer.
We recommend starting this tour at 8 a.m. That’s because the Horseshoe Bend parking lot often fills up early, and it helps to avoid the midday desert heat.
Important Information
This tour has three starting points, depending on where you're coming from. If you're coming from Grand Canyon's South Rim, the tour begins at Bitter Springs and follows Highway 89 heading north. If you're coming from the Monument Valley area, you'll start the tour on Route 98 West in Kaibito. If you're coming from the Kanab area of Utah, you'll start the tour on Route 89 South, at the Big Water Visitor Center.
If you’re staying in Page the night before the tour, you’ll head back down Highway 89 to Bitter Springs to begin.
That’s nearly a 30-minute drive, so we recommend leaving at 7:30 a.m. to start the tour by 8 a.m.
Itinerary (From Bitter Springs)
1. Bitter Springs
Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bitter Springs is really just the tour’s starting point located on Highway 89, around a half hour from the City of Page.
From Bitter Springs, stay on 89 at the fork in the road to head to the first stop, Antelope Pass Vista.
2. Antelope Pass Vista
Approximate Time: 5 minutes
The first of many overlooks on the tour is Antelope Pass Vista on the western side of Highway 89.
It’s an overlook offering sweeping views of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, a gorgeous geological wonder.
Resting just under the Utah state line, it measures almost 300,000 acres.
3. Horseshoe Bend
Sim Br from Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Up next is Horseshoe Bend, part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and one of the most popular sights around Page.
There, you’ll stand on a towering cliff above the Colorado River wrapping itself around a beautiful rock formation.
There’s a one-and-a-half mile or 2.4-kilometer easy trail to the overlook.
4. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a stunning slot canyon located in the Navajo Nation, just outside of Page. Known for its narrow, winding passageways and vibrant colors, the canyon was formed by erosion caused by flash floods. There are two main sections: Upper Antelope Canyon, which is accessible by guided tours, and Lower Antelope Canyon, which requires a hike. Visiting Antelope Canyon requires prior reservations.
5. The John Wesley Powell Museum
Henry Ulke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
This museum is named after a one-armed explorer and the first European American to cross the Colorado River.
It features exhibits on geology, archeology, dam history, paleontology, and culture.
The Glen Canyon Conservancy’s flagship office is right next to it, which offers additional local travel information and other resources.
6. Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 10 minutes
At the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook you will find a front-row view of the 700-foot tall dam.
It was built to provide power for millions of people in the surrounding states.
From the parking lot, it’s around a three-minute walk to the overlook.
National Park Service Digital Image Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
There are even more great views! At Potato Hill Overlook visitors can take an easy, one-mile round-trip walk to the overlook for a gorgeous view of Lake Powell and Antelope Island.
The Page Rimview Trail is also accessed from there. As the name suggests, it loops around Page.
It’s just over 10 miles or 16 kilometers long, and it’s a great spot for birding and biking.
7. Grandview Overlook
Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 10 minutes
Not far from Potato Hill is the Grandview Overlook which affords panoramic views of Lake Powell and Navajo Mountain. It’s a peaceful place to spend some time.
8. Hanging Gardens Trailhead
NPS/Stephanie Metzler
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
At the Hanging Gardens trailhead, you’ll be treated to a 1.2-mile, or 2 kilometers, out-and-back trail.
As the name suggests, it leads to a hanging garden, where plants actually grow on vertical rock surfaces.
9. The Chains
NPS Photo
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Another easy hike is The Chains, a half-mile round-trip walk that leads to Lake Powell and a front-row view of the dam.
In fact, it’s so close that there’s actually a chain hanging over the water to prevent boats from getting too close.
10. Carl Hayden Visitor Center
gillfoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 20 minutes
You’ll be right above the dam at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. You can’t get any closer than that!
You’ll find more great views, a bookstore, and exhibits.
11. Wahweap Recreation Area Southern Entrance
NPS Photo
Approximate Time: 5 minutes
You’ll drive through an entrance station into the Wahweap Recreation Area. Entry is $30 and it’s good for a week.
There, you’ll see great views across the lake to Utah and trace the shores of Lake Powell.
12. Navajo Mountain and Wahweap Viewpoints
NPS Photo
Approximate Time: 10 minutes
At Navajo Mountain Viewpoint you’ll see, as the name says, Navajo Mountain.
It’s sacred to the Navajo people and is about the height of seven Empire State Buildings.
Just past that is Wahweap Viewpoint, which affords wonderful views of Lake Powell.
13. Wahweap Marina
Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate Time: 30-60 minutes
This is your opportunity to get out of the car for a while and explore the shoreline of Lake Powell.
Lake Powell Resort is located there too and has restaurants and shops open to non-hotel guests.
14. Wahweap Overlook
NPS
Approximate Time: Optional
The final stop on the tour is Wahweap Overlook. It’s a great opportunity to relax and decide where you’ll go from there.
Because we’re guessing it’s not really your last stop. It’s also a chance to gaze back at what you saw today and take it all in.
Conclusion
Exploring Page is a wonderful experience filled with history, culture, hikes, and nature’s beauty.
We’re so glad you’ve chosen Shaka Guide to help make memories that will last a lifetime.
We hope that during your Page adventure, you take it slow and appreciate all it has to offer.
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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
Ready to explore Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell with Shaka Guide? Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
OTHER MAINLAND TOURS:
Death Valley National Park Itinerary
Grand Canyon East Rim - Everything You Need To Know
The Ultimate Horseshoe Bend Hiking Guide