Hi we are travelling to MV in September and was wondering whether you can visit without having to go on an organised tour as we are just visiting for the day and won't be staying overnight. I also get the impression from reading a previous post that people don't rate Page and Lake Powell as a good place to stay? We are there simply as a place to stay to reach MV and visit a slot canyon before heading to Sedona - is there anything else to do around Page? Your opinions would be welcome. Incidentally we start our trip in Springdale for visits to Zion NP and Bryce Canyon. Thanks.
1
Monument Valley is a self-drive visit. There is a loop that you can do in your car, getting out at various monuments to take pictures. If you want to do anything else, i.e. go into the back country via jeep, horse, or foot then you have to go with a guide from the Navajo community that runs the place.2
Welcome to Thorn Tree.I also get the impression from reading a previous post that people don't rate Page and Lake Powell as a good place to stay?
Page is a great place to stay if you happen to be "close" and you want to stop for the night. Antelope Canyon is also a good half-day side trip from Page. I believe some Grand Canyon raft outfitters also use Page as a start/finish point for their tours. You can also stop and see Horseshoe Bend near Page. The main reason for a multi-day stop at Page or going out of your way to see it is Lake Powell. The only reason to see Lake Powell is to rent a Houseboat and speed boat and "get lost" out on the lake for as many days as you like and can afford.
There is nothing "wrong" with Page or Lake Powell. It is just that there is only one good reason to take the time and effort to go there.
3
A walk in the Zion Narrows is a far more impressive activity than The Page area's "slot Canyons" I suggest, from Brice go on to Moab ... There to find much superior and varied natural Terrain ... You then, will be happy to wave, as you drive by M.VY, on the way to other more worthy natural wonders at the South Rim & perhaps, Sedona... carracar4
How many nights do you have available between leaving Zion/Bryce Canyon, and arriving into Sedona? But also:● ref_traveller is correct - a drive-through Monument Valley (either direction as part of a larger route is best) can be done quite independently, and we found it extremely scenic indeed.
● however it is rather a detour on a spur trip from Page to Sedona (which is why I asked how many nights you have available)
● we also really enjoyed a night in Page, walking the Lower Antelope Slot Canyon, Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Horseshoe Bend - but one night and two half-days was sufficient
And also note - whatever you do, it's all fantastic.
5
As people have noted above, Antelope Canyon is the most famous slot canyon, and it is right near Page. It is very much guided, not a wilderness experience where you hike for miles and explore on your own.6
Thanks for all the replies. We have 3 nights between Springdale and Sedona and Page just seemed to be the only option as a place to stay to do MV in a day. Have been planning this trip for over a year off and on after visiting the east coast in 2010 and 2011 and just finding it not quite as amazing as our trip to California in 2009. We visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon then and Yosemite as well as lots of other magnificent places and are just wanting to see some more beautiful scenery in the west.We travelled 3000 in 19 days that trip so distances don't worry us but the problem I think is that to travel distances of 350 miles in between stays seems like a waste of a day on our 12 day trip. Have looked at Moab but it puts more than 400 miles onto our journey which could be time spent exploring! Maybe leave that area for another trip flying into Denver this time.8
Yes ... I see your dilemma. The main motivation for going via Page and Sedona would be to include the GCNP South Rim, but you have already been there. Similarly, I think a trip to Monument Valley is mostly "worthwhile" if on the way to or from Southeast Utah or Colorado. And I agree with RT above that the Moab region is a superior experience (especially absent the South Rim).How about a compromise - with a visit to Bryce Canyon NP, then overnight (Tropic or further east), then the wonderful Hwy 12 (including Capitol Reef NP), then the following roads: 24-95-261-163 (perhaps staying at Mexican Hat), and seeing the upper reaches of Glen Canyon/Colorado River, Natural Bridges NM, Goosenecks SP (amazing), the Moki Dugway road down into the valley, Monument Valley, and Navajo NM. And then your third night in Flagstaff.
Pretty good trip, and achievable in three nights if you don't dawdle.
10
Have you considered staying in Kanab, Utah instead of Page? It's a small, but interesting town that boasts a film heritage of mostly American westerns. It is on the road to Page, west of Page and east of Zion National Park. It is also close to the spectacular narrows hike at Buckskin Gulch and the amazing Wave. These would be excellent stops on your journey.
