2 Days in Page Arizona: Epic Itinerary for Adventure Lovers!

If your idea of a perfect getaway involves chasing sunrises at iconic landmarks, exploring mystical slot canyons, and discovering hidden gems, you are going to love Page, Arizona! This remarkable area, located just south of the Utah border, offers some of the most incredible adventures in the entire southwest.

Page, Arizona is famous for the classic beauty of Horseshoe Bend and the iconic wonders of Antelope Canyon. While loads of people stop here for a quick half-day tour, not many take the time to explore the lesser-known marvels in the area.

In this 2 day itinerary, we will cover how to get the more popular tourist destinations all to yourself while also sharing our favourite off-the-beaten-path stops. Trust me, you won’t want to miss them!

TIP FOR VAN LIFERS: As of 2023, you can stay overnight for free in the Walmart parking lot. As always, please be respectful and leave no trace so that we can all continue to stay here for years to come.

Table Of Contents

Day 1: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and The New Wave
Day 2: Exploring White Pocket and The Wave (If You're Lucky!)

Day 1: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and The New Wave

Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend

Get up nice and early on your first day in Page, Arizona and start your morning at Horseshoe Bend. At sunrise, the warm hues of the first light reflect off the canyon walls creating a picture-perfect moment.

We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to sunrise for the best experience. The hike to get here is 2.4 kilometres + 42m of elevation gain roundtrip. We promise, it’s a view worth waking up early for!

Mid Morning Antelope Canyon Adventure

After grabbing a quick bit to eat, make your way to Antelope Canyon for the experience of a lifetime. When you google things to do in Arizona, your screen is flooded with photos of Antelope Canyon. Defined by its narrow twisting corridors, steep sandstone walls, and the beams of light that dance among them, this place is magical.

Antelope Canyon in Page Arizona: Antelope Canyon X Tour

It is important to book your tours in advance as they frequently sell out. Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are by far the most popular and photographed areas. What you don’t see in photos, however, are hundreds of people being syphoned through each spot with no time to stop and enjoy the views, no photo ops, and no personal space.

For us, that was a huge no thank you.

After a little bit of research, we found 2 different ways to access the canyon that did not involve taking the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. The first is a third tour, called “Antelope Canyon X”. The second is a free method of accessing Antelope Canyon on your own via Lake Powell. Obviously, we tried both.

In the blog post linked below, we outline the pros and cons of each option. We go over how to get to each one and why we think they are more worthwhile than the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon Tours.

The Secret Antelope Canyon Tours That NO ONE Is Talking About…

Antelope Canyon in Page Arizona: Antelope Canyon Free Tour via Lake Powell

Late Afternoon at Lake Powell

If you chose to access Antelope Canyon via Lake Powell, you will have already admired this beautiful area on a SUP or kayak. If you opted for the Antelope Canyon X tour, you may be interested in making your way to the lakeshore and exploring. Lake Powell is absolutely massive with tons of inlets to be discovered.

Sunset at The New Wave

After your tour, grab some dinner and drive to a hidden gem called “The New Wave”. We will talk more about The Wave in day 2 of this Page Arizona Itinerary, but you can think of this as a less crowded and easier to access little sister.

This sandstone formation is absolutely gorgeous, featuring unique wave-like patterns that make for incredible photos. It is only a 10 minute drive northwest of Page and 100% worth a stop.

Here are our top accommodation picks for Page:

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Day 2: Exploring White Pocket and The Wave (If You’re Lucky!)

Early Morning Departure for White Pocket

On day two, wake up as early as you can to drive into White Pocket. This remote destination, about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Page, offers a surreal landscape of swirling, multi coloured rock formations. The journey is a bit rugged, but you will be glad you made the trip.

A 4X4 vehicle is non negotiable as you will be traversing uneven sand roads for the last 1/3 of the drive. We rented a jeep from Turo and had a great experience. Alternatively, you can hire a driver or take a tour to get here.

As you explore the wonders of White Pocket, every turn reveals a new, otherworldly sight. The unique rock formations, including brain rocks and petrified sand dunes, will have you feeling like you’ve landed on another planet. There is no set hiking path here and you can explore the area for as long or as short as you would like.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to bring plenty of food and water along on this adventure. The desert is known for its ability to dehydrate and disorientate even the most prepared hikers.

Afternoon At The Wave

The Wave is an iconic sandstone rock formation located in northern Arizona. Situated on the slopes of Coyote Buttes in a protected part of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) wilderness, it requires a permit for access.

There are two ways you can obtain a permit, through the advanced or daily lottery. With only 64 spots available each day and thousands of applicants, getting permits to the wave is a game of chance.

If you do happen to luck out, you can access the trailhead on your way out of White Pocket. This hike is 10.8 kilometres + 367m of elevation gain. As mentioned earlier, make sure to bring lots of food and water.

We hope you enjoy your time in Page, Arizona. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or comment below with your favourite things to do in this area. We would love to hear from you!