Road-tripping from Antelope Canyon to Monument Valley

The closest airport is Flagstaff, which is about two and a half hours from Page. You can also fly into Phoenix and drive the four and a half hours to Page. Check into your hotel and grab some dinner! Or if your flight lands early enough, you can shorten this itinerary by a day and start exploring right away!

Antelope Canyon is split into two sections: the Upper Canyon and the Lower Canyon. Both are incredibly stunning and breathtaking, with their narrow passageways and glowing, red walls. The Upper Canyon is most known for its unique light beams that shine down into the canyon; while the Lower Canyon has more intricate rock formations. You can choose one, or explore both if you want!

Both sections require guided tours, which can book up months ahead of time, so advanced planning is a must. I recommend Antelope Slot Canyon tours for the upper. And we used Dixies for the lower.

The guides are fantastic and also double as personal photographers! They’re eager and happy to take pictures for you and show you the best settings for your phone to capture amazing photos.

An important note: Time zones in this part of the country get very tricky. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time, however Utah and the Navajo Nation do. You’ll find yourself crossing through all three during your journey and it can get quite confusing. Antelope Canyon is in Mountain Standard Time, so make sure to plan accordingly!

Before you leave Page, be sure to check out Lake Powell. You can take a boat tour or kayak, or just have breakfast at one of the restaurants on the shore. Latitude 47 is a floating restaurant that’s very popular during the summer!

Next, head to the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook on our way out of town. There’s a very short, rocky trail that brings you from the parking lot to a viewpoint overlooking the Colorado River and the Glen Canyon Dam.

Now, make your way to Horseshoe Bend! This is only 10 minutes from Page and an iconic horseshoe formation on the Colorado River. It’s a short three-quarter-mile hike along a boardwalk and gravel trail, to the viewpoint.

Pro tip: Avoid visiting Horseshoe Bend during mid-day if photography is a priority. If it’s sunny, there will be harsh shadows that will make getting a good photo nearly impossible.

If you have more time to spend, a rafting adventure is a great option! Wilderness River Adventures offers a popular half-day option that’s suitable for people and families of all ages!

Continue on to Monument Valley where you can spend the night. I promise you’ll never forget the moment you see the massive formations rise out of the flat desert. It’s an experience like no other!

Depending on how much you want to pack into your day, you can either check into your hotel and relax, or you could tour Monument Valley in the evening.

Monument Valley is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest and you’ll likely recognize it from the many movies that were filmed here. The majestic sandstone buttes rise 1,000 from the desert floor and are nothing short of awe inspiring.

You can drive the 17-mile loop on your own, which takes two to three hours, depending on how often you stop—which may be often as the scenery is just other-worldly!

You can also take a Navajo guided tour for a more immersive experience to see some of the more remote areas the general public isn’t allowed to visit. Pro tip: If you do take a tour, the Jeeps are open air and the valley is very dusty. Bring a bandana or neck gaiter!

Whichever option you choose, I definitely recommend sticking around for the sunset! The views from the visitor center are incredible and watching the colors of the desert change as the sun goes down is so special.

Here are some of the must-see landmarks:

• The Mittens: The iconic buttes are the most photographed formations in the valley. If you have the chance to see them at sunset or sunrise, I highly recommend it!

• John Ford’s Point: A gorgeous overlook named for the famous director who made several Westerns in the valley. It’s popular to get your photo taken on horseback here!

• Wildcat Trail: This is the only hiking trail in the valley that you can explore without a guide. It’s a 3.2 round-trip trail that takes you around the West Mitten Butte.

Here are some great spots to stop as you explore outside the Navajo Nation:

• Forrest Gump Point: Stop here to recreate the famous scene from the movie: the exact point where Forrest Gump decides he’s going to stop running! Just be mindful and respectful of cars. It’s a fairly busy highway so it’s best to visit here early in the morning before traffic picks up. You can find the exact coordinates on Google maps!

• Valley of the Gods: This is a lesser known gem that’s simply stunning. The loop takes about an hour and a half to drive. I highly recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle as the clay and gravel roads are very steep and bumpy in spots.

• Mexican Hat: A super-unique rock formation that bears a striking resemblance to a sombrero! It’s a great spot to get out, stretch your legs and get some interesting photos!