The Perfect 3 Day Page, Arizona Itinerary
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Spend 3 days in Page, Arizona exploring Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell and more with this easy itinerary.
Estimated reading time: 22 minutes
If you are trying to figure out how many days you need in Page, Arizona, I am going to make this really easy for you.
I would spend 3 days and 2 nights in Page.
Could you technically see some of the highlights with less time? Sure. But I really wouldn’t.
Page is one of those places where you look at the map and think, okay, there isn’t that much here. Antelope Canyon. Horseshoe Bend. Lake Powell. Done.
Except… not really.
There is actually quite a bit to do around Page, and once you start adding in tour times, driving between places, meals, and the fact that you probably don’t want to sprint through every single thing, three days starts making a lot of sense.
Plus, some of the experiences here are absolutely worth planning around.
I would want an Upper Antelope Canyon tour around the middle of the day. I would want enough time to enjoy Horseshoe Bend without watching the clock. And I definitely wouldn’t want to squeeze a Lake Powell boat tour into whatever random hole was left in the schedule.
So, if I were planning a Page trip now, this is exactly how I would do it.
Page, Arizona 3 Day Itinerary at a Glance
Here is the basic plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Page, check into the Hyatt Place, visit the Secret Sand Cave behind the Shell station, and head to Horseshoe Bend in the late afternoon or early evening.
Day 2: Grab donuts for breakfast, visit Glen Canyon Dam and the Glen Canyon Overlook in the morning, tour Upper Antelope Canyon around midday, grab lunch at R.D.’s Drive-In, and spend the late afternoon doing something easy. Then go to the Navajo dinner show that evening.
Day 3: Eat breakfast at the hotel, tour Lower Antelope Canyon in the late morning, and spend the afternoon on Lake Powell before leaving Page.
And honestly?
That is a really good three days.
You get both sections of Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, some time on Lake Powell, a few smaller Page attractions, and some genuinely fun local food.
You also aren’t waking up every morning feeling like somebody fired a starting gun.
That matters to me.
Where to Stay in Page: Hyatt Place
I would absolutely stay at the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell again.
There aren’t a million hotel choices in Page, and this one worked really well for us.
Our room was comfortable, the hotel felt modern, and I loved looking out at that stark desert landscape from the windows. If you live somewhere green, the scenery around Page almost doesn’t look real. It is just rock and desert and enormous stretches of open sky.
The Hyatt Place also makes a great base because you are close to pretty much everything you are going to do during this itinerary.
And since I would stay two nights, I wouldn’t bother changing hotels or trying to stay somewhere closer to Lake Powell for one night.
Unpack once. Stay put.
Day 1: Arrive in Page
I wouldn’t schedule anything with a hard reservation time on your first day unless you know you are arriving very early.
Instead, keep this day flexible.
Check into the Hyatt Place, drop your stuff off, and then go see a couple of Page attractions that don’t require a tour reservation.
Stop at the Secret Sand Cave Behind the Shell Station
Yes.
Behind a gas station.
This is one of those completely random Page attractions that sounds made up until you see it.
The formation is commonly called Biidi the Arch, although you will also hear people call it the Secret Sand Cave or just the Shell Gas Station Cave.
And because it is such a quick stop, this is exactly the kind of thing I would do on arrival day.
You aren’t committing half your afternoon to it. And you don’t have to rush to make a tour. You are basically getting out of the car, stretching your legs, walking out to a really cool sandstone formation, taking some pictures, and continuing with your day.
Perfect.
Go to Horseshoe Bend in the Late Afternoon
Then I would head to Horseshoe Bend.
This was one of the places I was most excited to see in Page, and thankfully it is also incredibly easy to work into an itinerary.
You park, walk out to the overlook, spend as much time as you want taking pictures and staring at the ridiculous view, and walk back.
That’s basically it.
And I say “walk” very intentionally here because I was literally passing a kidney stone when we visited Horseshoe Bend and I still managed to get out there.
So no, I would not classify this as some hardcore hiking experience.
I would plan Horseshoe Bend for later in the afternoon or early evening instead of the middle of the day. For one thing, you don’t have to worry about scheduling your arrival around a tour time. And for another, this is exactly the kind of place where I would want to linger a little bit.
Don’t race through it just because it is one of the most famous things in Page.
Give yourself time to actually enjoy being there.
Then head back to the hotel, grab dinner, and get some sleep.
Because Day 2 is the big one.
Day 2: Glen Canyon Dam, Upper Antelope Canyon, and a Navajo Dinner Show
Day 2 is going to be your busiest day in Page, but honestly, it’s also going to be a pretty fantastic day.
I would plan to get an early start, mostly because there are a few things I would want to squeeze in before an Upper Antelope Canyon tour around midday.
And yes, we’re starting with donuts.
Start Your Morning at Hot N Sweet Coffee and Donut Shop
Okay, so this is not exactly a healthy breakfast recommendation. But you’re on vacation, and sometimes you just need a really good donut.
We stopped at Hot N Sweet Coffee and Donut Shop when we were in Page, and oh my goodness. These donuts were so good.
I mean, we got one with Fruity Pebbles on top. How could you not?
We also tried a chocolate-frosted donut, which was equally delicious.
This is one of those fun little local places I love finding when we travel. It’s nothing fancy, but the donuts were fantastic, and I would definitely make a point of going back.
Grab a donut, get some coffee, and then head over to Glen Canyon Dam.
Visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center
Your first real sightseeing stop of the day should be the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam.
And please don’t skip this one.
I know a visitor center might not sound all that exciting when you have Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on your itinerary, but Glen Canyon Dam is seriously impressive.
For one thing, the dam is enormous.
You can see it through the windows inside the visitor center, and there is also an outdoor viewing area where you can get a fantastic look at the dam and the bridge.
And I mean, even if you don’t know anything about engineering, it’s hard not to stand there and wonder how in the world people actually built this thing.
The visitor center itself is worth exploring, too. There are exhibits about the dam, Lake Powell, and the surrounding area.
I would give yourself about 45 minutes to an hour here, depending on how interested you are in the exhibits.
And if you’re visiting with kids, this is an especially easy recommendation. But really, I think just about anybody would enjoy seeing the dam.
Walk Out to the Glen Canyon Overlook
After the visitor center, I would head over to the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook.
This is a separate stop, and I really think you should do both.
The overlook has a short trail from the parking area down toward the canyon rim. It’s not a long hike at all, although you do have to walk across uneven sandstone and navigate some steps.
And the views are just beautiful.
You can look down into the canyon and see the Colorado River winding through the rock. You can also look back toward Glen Canyon Dam.
I particularly loved the sandstone here. It’s that kind of rock where you almost feel like you’re walking across another planet.
And there are several places where you can stop and enjoy the views.
I would probably allow 30–45 minutes for this stop, although you could do it faster.
The best thing about visiting the visitor center and overlook together is that neither one takes an enormous amount of time. You can easily see both in the morning and still make your midday Antelope Canyon reservation.
Just be sure to account for your tour check-in time.
Take a Midday Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Now for one of the absolute highlights of the trip.
Upper Antelope Canyon.
If I were planning this itinerary again, I would specifically look for a tour around the middle of the day.
There is a reason for that.
Depending on the season, the sun can shine down through the narrow openings in the canyon and create those famous beams of light that make Upper Antelope Canyon so incredible.
Now, I wouldn’t promise that you’ll see light beams. They depend on the time of year, weather, and even the particular time of your tour.
But I would still aim for midday because that’s when I would want to experience the canyon.
We toured Upper Antelope Canyon during our trip, and it was absolutely spectacular.
I don’t think photographs can really prepare you for what it looks like inside.
The sandstone walls twist and curve around you, and the colors change depending on where the sunlight is hitting.
And then you turn a corner and there’s another gorgeous section.
It’s just incredible.
One thing I particularly appreciated was how much our guide helped everyone with their photos. They know exactly where to stand and which angles make the canyon look its best.
And believe me, that makes a difference.
One important thing: Upper Antelope Canyon is not a place where you can just show up and wander around. You have to book a guided tour, and I would absolutely reserve this one well in advance.
Also, while the canyon itself is relatively easy to walk through, make sure you understand the walking and stair requirements for the particular tour you book.
Depending on which operator you choose, you may have to navigate stairs and an outdoor return trail.
I would allow roughly two hours for the entire experience, including check-in, transportation, and the tour itself. Follow your operator’s specific instructions, though, because the timing can vary.
Grab Lunch at R.D.’s Drive-In
After Upper Antelope Canyon, I would head to R.D.’s Drive-In for lunch.
Oh my goodness. We loved this place.
It’s an old-school drive-in restaurant in Page, and I am telling you, the burger we had was legit fantastic.
I’m talking a good, juicy cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and all the fixings.
Nothing gourmet. Nothing fancy.
Just a really, really good burger.
And the milkshake?
Yep. Also fantastic.
Sometimes when you’re traveling, you just want a good burger and milkshake instead of another sit-down restaurant experience. And this was absolutely one of those places.
I would happily go back.
Plus, after spending the morning exploring the dam and touring Antelope Canyon, you’re probably going to be hungry.
This is exactly the kind of lunch I would want.
Choose an Easy Afternoon Adventure
Now, depending on what time your Upper Antelope Canyon tour finishes and how long you spend at lunch, you might have a few hours before dinner.
This is where I would keep things flexible.
I would not book another major tour for this afternoon. You’ve already done quite a bit, and you still have your evening plans.
But if you have the energy, there are a few fun options.
Option 1: Visit the Toadstool Hoodoos
If you want to see something completely different, consider heading out to the Toadstool Hoodoos.
These are those strange mushroom-shaped rock formations along Highway 89 between Page and Kanab.
And they are so cool looking.
The trail is relatively short, although you are walking through exposed desert terrain, so I would definitely pay attention to the weather and how hot it is outside.
I would also only choose this option if you have enough time before dinner. It isn’t right in downtown Page, and you’ll need to account for the drive and the hike.
Option 2: Relax at the Hyatt Place
I know. Not exactly an exciting sightseeing recommendation.
But hear me out.
You have already had a full morning, and you still have an evening activity. There is nothing wrong with heading back to the hotel for a couple of hours.
Take a break. Put your feet up. Enjoy the view.
Honestly, sometimes that’s what makes a travel itinerary actually enjoyable.
Option 3: Explore a Little More of Page
If you don’t feel like hiking but don’t want to go back to the hotel just yet, you can always spend some time driving around Page or checking out the Lake Powell viewpoints.
I would just resist the temptation to cram something enormous into this time slot.
Save Lake Powell itself for Day 3.
Experience the Navajo Dinner Theater
For dinner, I would absolutely recommend the Navajo dinner show we attended in Page.
This was such a fun experience, and I’m really glad we did it.
What I especially appreciated was that it wasn’t just a performance where people came out, danced, and then disappeared backstage.
There was an actual cultural presentation woven into the evening.
We learned about the different dances, the traditional clothing, and what various parts of the performance meant.
And I thought that made the experience so much more interesting.
The performers were incredibly engaging, and the entire evening was a fun way to learn more about Navajo culture.
I also really liked that we were able to experience something beyond the scenery.
Because let’s face it, most people come to Page for the slot canyons, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell.
And those things are absolutely worth seeing.
But this was an opportunity to learn about the people and traditions connected to the region, too.
I would definitely include it if the show is being offered during your visit.
Just be sure to check the schedule and make reservations ahead of time, because this is not necessarily something that runs every single evening.
Head Back to the Hyatt Place
And that’s Day 2!
Donuts, a massive dam, gorgeous canyon views, Upper Antelope Canyon, an awesome burger and milkshake, and a Navajo cultural performance.
Seriously. That’s a pretty great vacation day.
And the nice thing is that even though you’ve seen quite a bit, you haven’t had to spend hours driving from one attraction to another.
Most of the day is centered around Page, with just a little flexibility built into the afternoon.
I would head back to the Hyatt Place after dinner and call it a night.
Because tomorrow we’re visiting Lower Antelope Canyon and getting out on Lake Powell.
Day 3: Lower Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell
For the last day, I would do Lower Antelope Canyon in the late morning and then spend the afternoon on Lake Powell.
And honestly, this is why I really like the 3-day itinerary.
You aren’t trying to shove both Antelope Canyon tours into the same day. And you aren’t trying to squeeze Lake Powell in somewhere between Horseshoe Bend and dinner. You actually have time to enjoy all of it.
Have Breakfast at the Hyatt Place
I would keep breakfast really easy this morning and just eat at the Hyatt Place.
You’ve already done the fun donut breakfast. 😂
Plus, you’ll need to check out of the hotel, so I would eat breakfast, pack everything up, load the car, and then head over for your Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
Easy.
Tour Lower Antelope Canyon
Okay, so this is the one major Page experience we didn’t do on our trip.
We did Upper Antelope Canyon, and it was spectacular.
But if I went back?
I would 100% add Lower Antelope Canyon.
And I would still do Upper, too.
I really don’t think this needs to be an either/or situation unless you’re short on time or money. They aren’t exactly the same experience.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the one we did, and that is where you get that really classic Antelope Canyon experience with those incredible sandstone walls and, depending on the time of year and conditions, the famous light beams.
Lower Antelope Canyon looks different.
This is the canyon with the narrower sections, stairs, and ladders.
So obviously, this is one where you need to know your own mobility level.
If ladders or stairs are a problem for you, I would research the tour carefully before booking it.
But otherwise?
Yep. I would absolutely do it.
I would probably aim for a late-morning tour on Day 3. That gives you enough time to eat breakfast and check out of the hotel without getting up at some horrible hour.
And then you’re done around lunchtime and ready for Lake Powell.
Perfect.
Grab Something Quick for Lunch
I would not plan some elaborate lunch here.
You’ve got Lake Powell waiting.
Grab something quick in Page and keep moving.
Honestly, this might even be a good day to pick up sandwiches or something you can eat before heading toward the marina.
The important thing is leaving plenty of time to get to your boat tour, park, and check in.
Because I would absolutely build the afternoon around the boat tour rather than trying to wedge the boat tour around everything else.
Take a Lake Powell Boat Tour
This is another thing we didn’t get to do, and I really wish we had.
We saw Lake Powell.
And we saw Glen Canyon Dam.
We saw the lake from different viewpoints around Page.
But we never actually got out on the water.
And that would be the thing I would change next time.
I think a Lake Powell boat tour would be such a fun way to end the trip.
You’ve spent the last couple of days looking at all this giant sandstone scenery from land. Now you get to see it from the water.
And that scenery is just insane.
You have blue water surrounded by these huge desert cliffs and canyons.
I mean… come on.
I would probably choose one of the shorter scenic cruises rather than turning this into an all-day Lake Powell excursion.
You have already done a lot in three days.
You don’t need to go completely nuts.
One option I would definitely look at is a cruise into Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell.
And I think that would actually be really cool after doing Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.
Because now you would be seeing another part of the Antelope Canyon area from an entirely different perspective.
Just know that this is not the same thing as the slot canyon tours.
You aren’t cruising your boat through the little twisting slot canyon you walked through the day before.
This is a totally different experience.
But that’s kind of the point.
Then You’re Done!
And honestly?
That’s a really good Page trip.
You arrive and see Horseshoe Bend.
You spend your full day seeing Glen Canyon Dam, Upper Antelope Canyon, and the Navajo dinner show.
Then you finish with Lower Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell.
Plus, somewhere in there you manage to eat really good donuts and one seriously legit burger and milkshake.
I feel pretty good about that. 😂
Could You Do Page in 2 Days?
Yes.
Would I?
Probably not if I had the choice.
If you only have two days, though, I would prioritize:
Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend.
Those are the big three for me.
Then I would start adding things depending on your tour times.
Glen Canyon Dam and the overlook would be pretty easy to squeeze in because neither one takes forever.
Lake Powell gets harder because once you add a boat tour, you are committing a bigger chunk of time.
And I would probably be willing to drop things like the Shell station cave or the Toadstool Hoodoos before I dropped either Antelope Canyon tour.
But this is exactly why I prefer three days.
Two days works.
Three days is better.
What If You Only Have One Day in Page?
Okay, now we’re getting ruthless.
If I only had one day?
I would do one Antelope Canyon tour and Horseshoe Bend.
That’s it.
And if I were choosing the canyon based on our experience, I would pick Upper Antelope Canyon because that is the one we actually did and I know how spectacular it is.
If you have extra time, add Glen Canyon Dam.
But I would not try to see everything in Page in one day.
There is too much here, and once you start dealing with scheduled tours, it gets annoying really fast.
Is Page Worth More Than a Quick Stop?
Yes.
Absolutely.
And I think that was probably the biggest surprise for me.
Page can look like one of those places where you stop, see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and then immediately leave for somewhere else.
But there is actually a lot here.
You’ve got both sections of Antelope Canyon.
Horseshoe Bend.
Lake Powell.
Glen Canyon Dam.
The overlooks.
Navajo cultural experiences.
And then all these random little side adventures around town and along Highway 89.
You could definitely spend more than three days here if you wanted to.
But for a first trip?
Three days and two nights feels pretty close to perfect.
It gives you enough time to see the things you came all the way to Page to see without making every hour of the trip feel scheduled.
And that is exactly how I would do it.
More Page, Arizona Trip Planning
If you are planning a trip to Page, I have a bunch of other guides that can help you figure out what to do, where to stay, and which experiences are actually worth your time.
Start with my Things to Do in Page, Arizona guide if you want the bigger picture before you start building your itinerary.
Then check out these Page guides:
- Upper Antelope Canyon Tour Review
- Horseshoe Bend Guide
- Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center
- Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
- Navajo Dinner Theater Review
- Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell Review
And of course, this 3 Day Page, Arizona Itinerary pulls all of those experiences together into one trip.
Planning a Bigger Southwest Road Trip?
Page also works really well as part of a larger Southwest road trip.
You can easily combine it with the Grand Canyon, Kanab, and Zion, which is honestly one of my favorite ways to plan this whole part of the country.
If you are building a bigger trip, these guides can help:
- Grand Canyon South Rim Guide
- One Day at the Grand Canyon South Rim
- How Many Days Do You Need at the Grand Canyon?
- Zion National Park Itinerary
- Thing to Do With Kids in Kanab
Because once you start looking at Page on a map, it gets really hard not to start adding just one more stop.
And then another.
And suddenly you have a whole Southwest road trip. 😂
