Trip Report | Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend

Okay, you guys rock the casbah! I thought you might actually want to punch me in the face when I told you about our latest adventure with Princess Cruises… but not only were you so excited with us, but you offered up some great tips and advice! Thank you, thank you! I know it has to seem obnoxious when bloggers get invitations like this, and trust me, I want to punch my own face sometimes…but I don’t for one second take these opportunities for granted.

I’m in a bit of panic mode over here, considering we leave tomorrow, and I haven’t even packed (!!!)…but how can I be stressed about visiting Russia?! #zoinks I know it’s going to be an experience unlike any we’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to share it with y’all. Of course I’ll have full reports on the blog, but I’ll be posting to Instagram and Facebook everyday…and I’m sure Mr. SP will infiltrate my Instagram Stories.

Today I’m wrapping up the final Trip Report on our Spring Break adventure of National Parks. And funny enough, I had no intention of posting about our stop in Page, Arizona…I envisioned it as a quick stopover, on our way to the Grand Canyon. Little did I know it would be our favorite experience of the entire week!

When planning our itinerary, we tried to keep all the driving times to under 3-hours so it didn’t feel like we spent our week in the car. Which worked well, until we discovered the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (only 2.5-hours from Bryce Canyon, and our original destination) was still closed in early March. Which meant we were going to the South Rim…5-hours away.

It just so happens that the little town of Page, Arizona is a great halfway point, and home to Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the calmest segment of the Colorado River! Prepare for photo-overload because those spots are stunning!!!

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, located on Navajo land, and only accessible via guided tours. It’s completely flat, and it only takes about an hour to wander through it, with some areas so narrow you have to turn sideways to get through. Depending on the time of day, beams of light shine through and illuminate the layers of sandstone. It can only be described as breath-taking, and every one of us agreed it was the coolest part of our trip!

Horseshoe Bend is where the Colorado River makes a complete turn in the shape of…you guessed it, a horseshoe. It’s located about 5-miles outside of Page, and about a 1.5-mile roundtrip walk from Hwy 89. My photo has no scale reference for you, but the edge is 1000-feet up! If there were people standing on the cliff across from us, you wouldn’t even be able to see them.

It’s an easy walk out, and a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset.

Glen Canyon Dam, a monstrous structure that forms Lake Powell, and floods the sandstone gorges of Glen Canyon, is another highlight in Page. We took advantage of the beautiful day and quiet waters with a half-day float trip down several miles of the Colorado River. The motorized pontoon (basically a big raft with a quiet motor), stopped at a sandy beach where we saw 9,000-year-old petroglyphs…then we continued on around Horseshoe Bend. It was really cool to experience it from the water, then hike up later and see it from above.

Long Sleeve Tee | Best Jeans | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Striped Sweater

Tunic | Favorite Athletic Leggings | Best Trail Shoes Ever

Long Sleeve Tee | Best Jeans | Sneakers | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings

{Tours We Took}

Antelope Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie
There are several tour companies operating guided trips to the Canyon, but this one is actually owned and operated by a Native American, giving it a very authentic feel. Our guide (Irene, she was the best!!) was extremely knowledgeable, and shared stories of the canyon passed on from her grandfather. She was also a whizz at pointing out cool shapes and formations within the Canyon, and helping us set our cameras for the perfect shot! You meet in-town, and covered trucks drive your small group to the Canyon.

Colorado River Rafting
The half-day float starts with a drive down the 2-mile long access tunnel carved through the mountain, where a group of 15-20 people climbs on a motorized raft-type boat. It floats several hours down the Colorado River and around Horseshoe Bend, and the guide shares stories of the Canyon’s history and Native American cultures. Sandwiches are available at the Welcome Center where you meet, and you can bring them on the float.

Horseshoe Bend
No tours necessary…it’s located off Highway 89 outside of Page. From the road, it’s nothing but flatland…which makes the dip to the Canyon that much more dramatic!

{Where We Stayed}

Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Powell
A brand-new hotel with free breakfast and huge rooms.

{Where We Ate}

El Tapatio
Festive spot with friendly servers, hearty portions, and great margaritas!

Sugarplum Travel Tip: If you’re there during season, check out Into The Grand…people rave about the whole experience!

We were in Page less than 24-hours, but it made a big impact! And of course, the kids loved having a night in a modern hotel with heated pool! My final post will outline the full trip itinerary, including drive times, number of days in each park, etc…basically everything you need to plan a similar trip! Let me know anything else you’d like to know, and I’ll be sure to include it in the post!

Stay tuned for a ton of style inspiration tomorrow…I’m recapping last weekend’s blogger conference!

{Other Stops on our Trip}
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon
Grand Canyon ~ The South Rim

Watch more of this beautiful stop & some family behind-the-scenes! (Thank you, Mr. SP for the fun video & beautiful music!!!)

[More National Parks Posts]