From the Grand Canyon we drove up to Page, Arizona and stayed in a newly opened hotel there.
Wingate by Wyndham Page Lake Powell
2018 Price: $469 for three nights
Our itinerary had some unexpected changes once we hit Page. One of the things I was most looking forward to was visiting Antelope Canyon. Because this is on Navajo land you must have a guide and pre-book since it fills up fast. It rained the day of our scheduled tour and, due to dangers with flash flooding in the slot canyon, we were unable to go. However, they did rebook us for the next morning.
Antelope Canyon
Our first day in Page, we went on a boat tour of Antelope Canyon. You need to pre-book for the tour. While it was raining slightly, we were still able to go, and I really enjoyed it. Our guides gave a good history of the canyon and there were beautiful views first thing in the morning.
Antelope Canyon Boat Tour – Antelope Canyon Now
2018 Price: $45 per person
Since our guided walking tour of Lower Antelope Canyon was moved to the next day, we decided to spend the afternoon wandering around the southern end of Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Glen Canyon Dam
Our last stop for the day was the Glen Canyon Dam which is the second-tallest concrete-arch dam in the United States behind Hoover Dam. There is an overlook to get a great view of the dam and the Colorado River. There are parking spots on both sides of the bridge and a walkway along it. It had rained the day before, so we were able to see a small waterfall along the canyon wall which we were told doesn’t happen often.
Lower Antelope Canyon
The next morning, we went on our long-awaited tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. This was one of my absolute favorite things and I would definitely recommend it. I would go back again.
Lower Antelope Canyon – Dixie Ellis’ Tour
2018 Price: $48 per person + $8 Navajo Nation permit per person
There are two companies that provide guided tours – Ken’s and Dixie Ellis’. Our guide was excellent. He even took the time to show people how to put the correct settings in their phone/camera for the best shots.
In the end, I think we lucked out with the rain because the colors of the canyon were deeper than they might have been otherwise.
At the end of the tour, visitors climb out one-by-one through a small crevice in the slot canyon. From ground level, you would never know what incredible sights lie below.
You cannot bring purses, backpacks or bags into the canyon. I was allowed to bring a belt bag/fanny pack that I put my keys and a water bottle in.
Horseshoe Bend
Our final destination in Arizona was Horseshoe Bend. Just outside Page, the Colorado River flows in an entrenched meander, forming a horseshoe shape. The bend can be viewed from cliffs above. I loved this and there were a lot of good spots for taking photos.
Visitors can park in the lot and then walk down a path to the viewing area. It was a farther walk than I anticipated to get down there and it was uphill all the way back to the car. Be aware that while there is a section with a rail, much of the area is an open cliff so take care to watch children and pets.
We were lucky enough to get a parking space in the lot – it was a madhouse and cars were circling for a spot. Horseshoe Bend was free when we went but I heard that there is a $10 vehicle fee as of 2019.
One night in Page we ate at Gone West Family Restaurant. The real attraction here was the live country band and fun ambiance.
Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, remaining on Mountain Standard Time year-round. For example, in the summer months, during Daylight Saving Time, the time in Arizona and California is the same. The Navajo Reservation does follow Daylight Saving Time. However, our tours followed the standard Arizona time.