Year 2020 was a significant year that made an consequential entry in everyone’s life and in history.  Every life was affected may it be emotionally, mentally with so many ups-down.   With Covid-19 vaccination the world seems to be coming back on track in 2021. After a year long of restrictions, finally when air travel resumed and things started to return to bit normal in USA, we grab the opportunity of exploring the neighboring states in USA. 

Living in Pacific North West where the temperatures are always in the coolest range, traveling to hotter states needs to be planned during Springtime.  Spring Break is the idle time for families with school-going kids.  Also, Spring is the right time to take a break from cold weather in Seattle and soak in some Sun in neighboring warmer States.      

Generally, we do love doing long road trips but Driving to Arizona would take us a minimum of two days with two drivers (me and my hubby). So, we opted for taking the flight and saving our days to explore the beautiful places.  We had 6 days vacation with our trip planned to visit some of the famous spots in Utah, Arizona, Nevada along with 3 full days at Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park hiking the famous trails.

In this blog, I am sharing one of our itineraries in which we visited these places. These places are idle for families with small kids, older parents as it does not involve much hiking.

Don’t forget to Pack your 10 Hiking Essentials                                 

Hiking Shoes/Boots                       

Comfortable Sturdy Footwear and Sunscreen

Things To Do in Page Arizona  

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir (in Utah and Arizona) created on the Colorado River by Glen Canyon Dam. It is the most visited Vacation Spot by millions of visitors every year.  Idle spot for water activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming. There are two famous places on Lake Powell. One is Lone Rock Beach Campground in Utah and the second one is Wahweap Marina in Page, Arizona. The distance between Lone Rock Beach and Wahweap Marina is 8.5 miles and hardly takes 15 minutes by Car.

Lone Rock Beach Campground, Utah

As the name says Lone Rock, there is a massive monolithic rock standing in the middle of Lake Powell.  The Standing Sandstone rock is one of the most popular in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Although this place is a Camping ground, it is very much visited by visitors for the dazzling views of the blue water and the Lone Rock.

Lone Rock Beach Campground is the best place for RV camping, motor campers, and tent camping. Just imagine the views on waking up to see the blue waters of Lake Powell and the free-standing rock.

Wahweap Marina, Page Arizona             

Wahweap Marina is largest marina on southwestern point on Lake Powell with fleet of house boats , recreational water craft ,Lake Powell Resorts and many rentals for power boats and house boats. It is the best place to find a spot and just rest on the beach sand, enjoy the beach water. Perfect place to spend an idle beach day soaking in the views.

Glen Canyon Dam

Carl Hayden Visitor Center

Visitor Center are always the must to visit to know about the background and the history about the place. During our visit in April 2021, the Cary Hayden Visitor Center was closed to the public due to Covid -19. Still we had the chance to walk around the Visitor Center to take alook at Glen Canyon Dam and walk on the Glen Canyon Bridge sidewalks.

Glen Canyon Dam Bridge or Glen Canyon Bridge

Glen Canyon Bridge is a steel arch bridge in Coconino county in Arizona carrying the route U.S 89 across the Colorado River. It is just outside the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Just walking over the footpath on both sides of the bridge, one can get amazing views of the Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River.

Glen Canyon Dam Scenic Overlook

A short hike of hardly 10 minutes down a set of rock carved stairs with a steel rallying to support leads to the viewpoint on the rim with the views of Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell and the Colorado River. The stairs leading to viewpoint are rocky with sand, so one need to be careful going down.  

Horseshoe Bend

As the name says it all, the Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River. This place has become the most recognized and visited place in Glen Canyon National Recreational Area due to Social media.

The hike to Overlook is 1.5 miles round trip from the parking lot. The trail is wide, accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.  There are no trees for shade and the trail is totally in open terrain under the sky but there are two shade stations created along the way.  

As for any hike short or big, always carry your basic hiking essentials. For this hike, it is recommended to carry enough water, Sunscreen, a hat or cap, and good Footwear, preferably Hiking Shoes.  When we hiked this trail in April 2021, the temperatures were above 95.F and we hike in the hottest part of the day 🙂 in the afternoon.  Try to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.

There is a fenced part over a little portion to capture some photos, but it could be overly crowded with people waiting in turns to capture their pictures.  Most part of the viewpoint is open without fences, so one needs to be extra cautious not to step on the edge of the rim for taking the perfect shot. There is $10 fees to park and view this viewpoint.

Navajo Bridge (Navajo Nation Interpretive Center)

There are two almost identical steel arch Bridges that span across the Canyon over the Colorado River.  The wider and the Modern Navajo bridge on right replaced the historic one on the left, which is now a pedestrian bridge.  Walking over the Pedestrian Bridge is a must to do to have the amazing views of the Marble Canyon, Colorado River, and the surroundings.

Balanced Rocks at Lees Ferry

Thousand of years ago a huge boulder rock broke from the cliff and tumbled down here. The boulder looks like an umbrella protecting the beneath rock from years of rain and wind. This place goes unnoticed by visitors traveling to Lees Ferry Campground. So remember to look for these balanced rocks on your way.

Lees Ferry Campground/ Paria Beach

Paria Beach is very close to Lees Ferry Campground area. Even if you are not camping this place in Marble Canyon is worth the visit. The view of the gigantic cliffs next to the river is amazing.

Where to Stay when visiting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, or Southern Utah

The below-mentioned towns/cities are the nearest to the famous National Parks that are at a distance of 1 hour – 45 minutes drive by Car

1. Kanab
   2. Springdale
   3. Orderville
   4. Glendale
   5. Virgin

As I mentioned above that we had 6 days plan to visit other National Parks, we chose to stay in Kanab Utah, as the place has many hotel options also was the most suitable and feasible option to reduce our time traveling to other places on our itinerary.

Budget Friendly Hotels

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kanab – Located in Kanab City, With the proximity of Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Page, Arizona within 1 hour.

Travelodge by Wyndham Kanab – Located in Kanab City, With the proximity of Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Page, Arizona within 1 hour.

Aikens Lodge – In Kanab City, Pefect for Budget friendly travelers.

Pet Friendly Kanah Cottages – Located in Kanab City, Perfect for Pet owners.

Luxurious Vacation Home

Southwestern Kanab Cottage with Patio and Views! – Located in Kanab City, Perfect for a group of families looking for more bedrooms with Patio and Views

Kanab Condo with Pool and Patio – Perfect for a group of families looking for more bedrooms with Patio, Pool and Views

Map of our Route

This is the Map of our route taken to cover the destinations in Page Arizona starting from Kanab Utah. Feel free to click on the Map screenshot and open the google map of our itinerary. If you are able to add more destinations in the below route/itinerary, do comment below to let me know.

Note : At the time of our trip to Utah/Arizona, the Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley were closed due to Covid-19. We would surely go back to visit the Antelope Canyon, The Waves, Monument Valley and many more.

Hope you Liked it. Feel free to input your comments. I ‘ll love to read wonderful suggestions or advice.

Check on my IG @travelandhikewithpcos

Pin It for Later...