Day Trips from Lake Powell

Lake Powell sits in the middle of the Grand Circle, the cluster of national parks and red-rock wonders spread across northern Arizona and southern Utah. From Page, Arizona, a handful of world-famous places are an easy drive away. Spend a day or two on the lake, then use these trips to round out your vacation. Drive times are approximate from Page.

Grand Canyon South Rim, about 2 to 2.5 hours

Take U.S. Highway 89 south to Cameron, then Highway 64 west into the park. You enter at the quiet east end, at Desert View, where a stone watchtower looks over the canyon and the Colorado River. From there the Desert View Drive runs along the rim to Grand Canyon Village, with a viewpoint every few miles. Start early to beat the heat and the crowds.

Grand Canyon North Rim, about 2.5 hours

The higher, cooler North Rim is a summer destination only, usually open from mid-May to mid-October. It was hit hard by the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, so check the National Park Service for what is open before you go.

Monument Valley, about 2 hours

The towering buttes made famous by western movies sit on the Arizona and Utah border in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. A dirt loop drive winds among the formations, and Navajo guides lead tours into areas you cannot drive on your own. There is an entry fee for the tribal park.

Vermilion Cliffs, The Wave and White Pocket, about 1 hour and up

West of Page, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument holds some of the most famous sandstone on earth. The Wave in Coyote Buttes North needs a permit won through a lottery, so plan months ahead. White Pocket and Coyote Buttes South are reached on deep-sand roads that need a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or a guided tour. On the way, stop at the Toadstool Hoodoos, a short walk off U.S. 89 about 30 to 40 minutes west of Page.

Bryce Canyon National Park, about 2.5 hours

The forest of orange hoodoos at Bryce is a cool escape on a hot summer day, at around 8,000 feet. Walk the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points, or drop into the amphitheater on the Navajo Loop.

Zion National Park, about 2 hours

Drive through Kanab to the east entrance of Zion, then down the switchbacks and through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel into Zion Canyon. Large RVs need a tunnel permit. In the main season, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is reached by park shuttle.

Kanab and Coral Pink Sand Dunes, about 1 to 1.5 hours

Kanab is a friendly little western town with good food, movie history and easy access to slot canyons. Nearby, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has pink sand you can play in all day.

Closer to Lake Powell

• Horseshoe Bend, 5 minutes from Page
• Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, 10 minutes
• Lees Ferry and Navajo Bridge, about 40 minutes
• Alstrom Point, about 1.5 to 2 hours on a rough road
• More ideas: things to do in Page, Arizona

Plan Your Trip Around the Lake

Most visitors spend at least one full day on Lake Powell between road trips. Book your jet ski rental or boat rental for the morning, when the water is calm, then head out on a day trip the next day.