Can One Kayak Trip Change Everything?

Mar 31
5 min read

Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon deliver desert hiking, towering sandstone walls and unforgettable views in northern Arizona.

BY Matt Blankenship, June 21, 2025

ROAD TRIPS

Lake Powell I Photo credit, Miranda Away

By the time the morning sun reaches deep into Antelope Canyon, the sandstone begins to glow. Orange walls shift to gold, shadows dance across smooth curves carved by centuries of flash floods and every corner seems to reveal another impossible shape sculpted by water and time. Just a few miles away, the blue waters of Lake Powell spread across the desert, wrapping around towering cliffs, hidden coves and narrow side canyons. Together, the two destinations create one of the Southwest's most striking outdoor landscapes, a place where hikers can spend the morning walking through narrow sandstone corridors before finishing the day watching the sunset over one of America's largest reservoirs.

Located near Page, Arizona, Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon offer a combination of hiking, paddling, boating and photography that has become a bucket-list destination for outdoor travelers. While many visitors arrive for a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend or a guided canyon tour, spending several days exploring the region reveals an entirely different experience.

The landscape tells a story millions of years in the making. Ancient sand dunes hardened into Navajo Sandstone long before the Colorado River carved its way through the region. Wind and seasonal floods slowly sculpted twisting slot canyons into smooth waves of rock, while the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s created Lake Powell, flooding hundreds of miles of winding canyon country. Today, the result is an outdoor playground unlike anywhere else in the country.

Although Lake Powell attracts boaters from across the nation, hikers quickly discover that the surrounding desert offers just as much adventure. The terrain often appears deceptively easy. From a distance, the landscape looks relatively flat, but loose sand and slick sandstone make every mile more demanding than expected. Good hiking shoes quickly become just as important as plenty of water.

Antelope Canyon remains the area's signature hike, though it isn't a traditional backcountry trail. Instead, visitors explore the famous slot canyons on guided tours led by members of the Navajo Nation. The tours not only protect the fragile landscape but also provide insight into the canyon's geology, history and cultural significance. Upper Antelope Canyon offers the more accessible experience. Visitors enter at ground level before winding through narrow sandstone passages where beams of sunlight occasionally pour through openings overhead. The route requires little climbing, making it an ideal choice for families or anyone looking for a shorter walk.

The adventure isn't finished after leaving the canyon. Visitors complete the experience with roughly a 20-minute walk across sandy desert trails back to the parking area, where the loose footing reminds hikers that desert terrain demands more effort than it first appears.

Lower Antelope Canyon provides a more adventurous alternative. The approach requires a longer walk, and entering the canyon means climbing down a series of metal staircases and ladders attached to the sandstone walls. Inside, the canyon narrows dramatically, twisting through sculpted rock formations that rise overhead in smooth ribbons of red and orange.

The route requires more stamina than Upper Antelope Canyon, especially during warmer months, but rewards hikers with a more physically engaging experience. Those looking to trade guided tours for longer miles can lace up for the Page Rimview Trail. Stretching nearly 10 miles around the outskirts of Page, the trail offers a completely different perspective of the region. Rather than descending into narrow canyons, hikers travel across open desert, passing overlooks with sweeping views of Glen Canyon, Lake Powell and the surrounding canyonlands. The route is popular with trail runners, mountain bikers and hikers looking to escape the crowds while still enjoying some of northern Arizona's most dramatic scenery. Unlike the slot canyons, shade is almost nonexistent.

Summer temperatures regularly climb well above 100 degrees, making early morning starts essential. Carrying extra water, electrolyte mixes, sun protection and lightweight clothing isn't simply recommended, it's part of hiking safely in the high desert.

Lake Powell offers a welcome contrast after a day on the trail. More than 1,900 miles of shoreline create endless opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and boating. Quiet coves tucked beneath towering cliffs provide places to cool off, while beaches scattered throughout the reservoir offer ideal picnic spots after long hikes. For paddlers, exploring narrow side canyons by kayak delivers a different perspective than hiking alone. Calm water reflects the sandstone walls, creating mirror-like scenes that feel almost unreal.

Sunrise and sunset transform the landscape yet again. Morning light slowly washes across the cliffs, while evenings paint the sandstone in deep shades of crimson and purple. Photographers often find themselves staying well after sunset, watching the final light fade across Lake Powell's calm waters. Wildlife also makes appearances throughout the region. Desert bighorn sheep navigate rocky slopes with ease, ravens soar overhead and lizards dart between sandstone ledges. Coyotes occasionally appear during early morning hours, while mule deer can sometimes be spotted near washes after cooler evenings.

Because of the dry climate, preparation becomes just as important as choosing which trail to hike.

Even shorter walks require more water than many visitors expect. The combination of dry air, direct sun and sandy footing quickly increases fatigue, especially for travelers unfamiliar with desert environments.

Checking weather forecasts is equally important. Although rainfall is infrequent, sudden thunderstorms can trigger dangerous flash floods inside slot canyons. Guided operators closely monitor conditions, and tours may be canceled when storms threaten the area. The reward for thoughtful planning is an unforgettable desert adventure. Whether hiking beneath towering sandstone walls, paddling through quiet coves or simply watching sunlight shift across Lake Powell's cliffs, the landscape constantly reminds visitors how powerful water has been in shaping the American Southwest.

Few destinations combine geology, recreation and scenery as seamlessly as this corner of northern Arizona. Every trail leads to another overlook, another hidden canyon or another stretch of sandstone sculpted into shapes that seem almost impossible.

It's the kind of place where boots collect red sand, water bottles empty faster than expected and every overlook convinces hikers to stop just one more time.

Hiker's Itinerary: Two Days Around Lake Powell & Antelope Canyon

Day 1: Slot Canyon Legs

Start before sunrise to beat both the heat and the crowds.
Book an early guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon if you're looking for an easier walk with incredible light filtering through the sandstone.
Want a little more adventure? Choose Lower Antelope Canyon, where ladders, tight squeezes and stairways keep things interesting. Take your time—this isn't the place to rush.
Refuel in Page, then spend the afternoon cooling off with a kayak or paddleboard session on Lake Powell.
Finish the evening at a lakeside overlook for sunset. Desert sunsets hit differently after you've spent the day earning dusty boots.

Day 2: Earn the Views

Hit the Page Rimview Trail early. Nearly 10 miles of desert singletrack circle Page with constant views of Glen Canyon and Lake Powell.
Expect sandy stretches that sap your energy more than the mileage suggests. Don't let the flat profile fool you—desert miles have a way of humbling even experienced hikers.
Pack at least 3 liters of water, salty snacks and trekking poles if you like extra stability in loose sand.
Pause often at the overlooks. They're the kind of spots where everyone ends up saying, "One more picture," before moving on.
Wrap up the afternoon with one final stop at the lake. Kick off your boots, soak your feet in the water and enjoy the feeling that comes after a trail well traveled.