Tours Around Horseshoe Bend and Page
Canyon, river, lake and dam tours, and the weather that shapes them
Kinds of tours around Page
Several tour formats operate in the Glen Canyon area. Antelope Canyon is open to visitors only on a guided tour. A guided tour of Glen Canyon Dam also exists, descending through the dam to the generator room. On the water, smooth water float trips on the Colorado River run from Lees Ferry to Horseshoe Bend and back, and the raft operator also provides backhaul service for private paddlecraft.
Lake Powell has its own boat tours: multiple tours depart from Wahweap Marina, and charter tours operate from Halls Crossing. Permitted guided services in Glen Canyon span paddlecraft services, fishing guides, guided hikes, guided photography, guided land tours by vehicle and guided water-based instruction. Grand Canyon North Rim is described as a nearby day trip from Page, with cooler temperatures and fewer people than the South Rim.
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On foot at the overlook
Not every visit to the bend is a booked tour. The walk to the Horseshoe Bend overlook is a round trip of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over a hardened path. As of 2025, the City of Page charges $10 per passenger car to use the parking area. The City of Page runs that lot, and America the Beautiful and National Park Service passes do not cover it.
The overlook's viewing platform has railings, but none run along the trail, and much of the rim is exposed to the 1,000-foot drop.
Seasons and weather behind tour days
Page, Arizona receives about 6.46 inches of rain per year, less than Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert. The town lies in the rainshadow of the California mountains and is too far north for consistent monsoons, which leaves it very dry. Lees Ferry, near Page, is the driest Grand Canyon region station, averaging only 6.1 inches of precipitation per year.
Late summer is the hottest time of year on the Colorado Plateau's high desert and coincides with the monsoon season, when afternoon thunderstorms are probable. At the Grand Canyon, summer thunderstorms cluster in the hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and July, August and early September bring them often.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona monsoon | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | JulRuns | AugRuns | SepRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
- Runs
It can also occur at any low water crossing or dip, including on roads, and the guidance for drivers is not to enter flooded roadways. A wait of at least 30 minutes after the final thunderclap is the stated period before going back outside.
Tour types side by side
The table sets out what the facts say about each tour type around Page, from canyon visits to river floats, lake cruises and the dam.
| Tour type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Antelope Canyon | Visits only on a guided tour; flash flooding can close it for up to several months |
| Colorado River float | Smooth water trips run from Lees Ferry to Horseshoe Bend and back |
| Lake Powell boat tours | Multiple tours depart from Wahweap Marina; charter tours operate from Halls Crossing |
| Glen Canyon Dam | Guided tour descends through the dam to the generator room |
| Grand Canyon North Rim | Nearby day trip from Page with cooler temperatures and fewer people than the South Rim |
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Tours near Horseshoe Bend
Questions about tours
Frequently asked questions
Can Antelope Canyon be visited without a guide?
No. Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour.
Which boat tours run on Lake Powell?
Multiple boat tours depart from Wahweap Marina, and charter tours operate from Halls Crossing.
Where do Colorado River float trips go?
Smooth water float trips run from Lees Ferry to Horseshoe Bend and back. The raft operator also provides backhaul service for private paddlecraft.
What does the Glen Canyon Dam tour include?
A guided tour of Glen Canyon Dam exists that descends through the dam to the generator room.
Which guided services are permitted in Glen Canyon?
Permitted guided services include paddlecraft services, fishing guides, guided hikes, guided photography, guided land tours by vehicle and guided water-based instruction.
When do monsoon storms occur?
Arizona's monsoon runs from July to September. Thunderstorms in the Grand Canyon in summer are concentrated between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and they are frequent in July, August and early September.
How long is the Horseshoe Bend overlook walk, and what does parking cost?
The round trip is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over a hardened path. As of 2025 the City of Page charges $10 per passenger car, and National Park Service passes do not cover the lot.
How long should people wait after thunder?
The period given is 30 minutes at minimum, counted from the final thunderclap, before people go back outside.
Sources
- Page
- Guided Tours - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
- Horseshoe Bend - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
- Horseshoe Bend (Arizona)
- Climate Change - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
- Page, Arizona
- Weather and Climate - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
- Monsoon Season (U.S. National Park Service)