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This is the last article in a series of 7 called Road trip from Phoenix to Mount Rushmore. Check out the introduction to this series in “Day 1, Rim Country Arizona; New Mexico; Pagosa Springs, Colorado.”
It was finally here. The last day of our 9-day road trip from Phoenix to Mount Rushmore and back. The day before, we’d started in Colorado, driven through Utah, and stopped near Page for the night. Now, we were ready to get home and sleep in our own beds. So after loading the truck, we pretty much hit the road back to Phoenix.
But if you were on this trip, you might want to explore all the cool stuff that Northern Arizona/Page has to offer. So I’m mostly going to talk about the things we’ve done and enjoyed in or near Page that are worth adding to your itinerary.
But first, let’s talk about Marble Canyon.
Marble Canyon
The area itself is not a town or an unincorporated community. It’s really just a section of the Colorado River where there are a few tourism and outdoor-related businesses.
Marble Canyon is an area about 40 minutes away from Page, and you kind of have to backtrack to get there. You have to follow US-89 heading south from Page, cross over the Colorado, then head north again on US-89A to get to Marble Canyon from Page.
We stayed at the Marble Canyon Lodge, which I had no idea would be more or less a full-on motel. I booked it via Airbnb, and the impression I got from the listing was that it was a couple duplexes being rented out by an individual (this is probably my own fault, as I booked rather quickly). It’s actually a decent-sized lodge with a big cafe and gift shop that are all large enough to have their own branding.
There’s also a Chevron station that you should avoid at all costs. The price there was I believe $3.90, but was significantly lower in Page and even lower in Blanding, which is where I stopped specifically for this reason.
Our stay at Marble Canyon was decent – they upgraded us to the “premium” suite, which included a pull-up parking spot in a carport directly next to the unit, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a full kitchen, and a private (in that it was ours to use, not in that no one could see) patio and fire pit. The room itself was quite clean and was just what we needed after a long day of driving.
The cafe, called The Lonely Jackrabbit, unfortunately left a lot to be desired. When we came in the next morning, there was a large bus of tourists already seated and the cashier bluntly advised “it would be a while because there’s a bus full of people plus everyone in front of you.” Seems like a place like this should be staffed for a bus full of tourists on a Saturday, but I digress.
We opted for coffees and a pastry for our daughter, but the coffees were not good. The same cashier took our order and made them but seemed extremely disinterested, and did not do a good job. We did not finish our drinks.
Stop #1: Navajo Bridge
Navajo Bridge is a neat piece of history and great photo op, and it’s within walking distance from Marble Canyon Lodge. There are two bridges, and the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center has a couple different viewpoints and also a visitor’s center, which was closed when we were there. There’s another pullout on the other side where there are vendors selling Navajo goods.
Stop #2: Colorado River Kayaking and Vermillion Cliffs
If you’re looking to do some paddling, the Lee’s Ferry boat launch is only a few miles away; there are also several kayak rental shops in the area if you need to rent a kayak.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are both in the immediate area of Marble Canyon for additional view, hiking, and other outdoor exploring.
Stop #3: Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend has become a huge tourist stop over the years, likely thanks to the advent of Instagram. When I first visited in 2015 or 2016, it was in the afternoon and crowded, but not overcrowded. The parking lot was relatively small and gravel. You parked, walked the hike in, you climbed the rocks if wanted for your photo op, walked back out, and left.
But when I was there most recently in the fall, it had changed quite significantly. For starters, there is now a pay station managed by the city of Page, where you pay a nominal fee to park. The lots are now large and paved, and there are also now restrooms. The hike from the lot to the viewpoint is still mostly the same, and there are no services at the overlook itself – so bring enough water for the 3-mile round trip walk/hike.
Tip: Come at sunrise if you can – it’ll be far less crowded, and you won’t get shadows and sunlight ruining your photo. Alternatively, come at the evening golden hour for the best photo. It’ll be more crowded than sunrise, but you’ll still get a great photo.
Stop #4: Lower Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon also looked a lot different when I was there last in 2023, vs when I was there in 2016. Now, there’s a large visitor center with electricity and restrooms. Then, it was practically a few shacks where ticket sales occurred, and a line of port-a-potties.
A tour is required, and you can walk up or reserve, but I’d recommend to reserve. There are stairs in lower antelope, and you won’t be able to stop for photos for more than a minute or so at a time as the tours are trying to get in as many groups as quickly as possible. In 2023, photo tours had been discontinued.
There’s also tours for Upper Antelope, and there are more slot canyons around the area that will be less busy but may be more difficult (ladders instead of stairs, narrower passageways, etc).
Stop #5: Waheap Bay
I haven’t been, but the Waheap Bay area is definitely on the to—do list for next time we are in Page. There’s a “beach,” an overlook, hiking trails, boat ramps, hiking, camping, the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, and more.
As you can tell, there’s a ton to do in the Page/Lake Powell area that constitutes a multiple-day stay on its own, so you will have to be selective if you’re just passing through.
Stop #6: Flagstaff
For those who live in Phoenix, you already know all the things to do in Flagstaff because escaping from Phoenix is practically a necessity in July and August. But in case you’re reading this and plan to pass through Flagstaff, I’ll share some of my favorite spots there:
- Single Speed Coffee Roasters – make sure to use the Butler location on Google, the other is closed. The coffee here is very good, and the burritos are solid.
- Late for the Train Coffee – the coffee here is pretty average, but the shop itself is really neat and is the perfect vibe in the wintertime
- Steep Leaf Lounge if tea is your thing
- Lumberjack Pizza, Fratelli Pizza, and NiMarco’s Pizza are all great pizzas
- Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters, Flagstaff General Store, Mountain Sports Flagstaff, and Earth Bound Trading Co are all nice shops, all on separate corners of the same intersection and right next to Hotel Monte Vista which is cool to look at
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