Recently, I traveled to the small desert town of Page, Arizona, located at the border of Arizona and Utah. I was fortunate to get a writing assignment (for three blogs) for the opening of a new and glamping site called The Canyons RV Resort and Cabins. While I was there, I had the opportunity to learn about the area and the many attractions in town and within a few hours’ driving time range. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend, Page is the place to go. Take a look at what I’ve discovered and “bookmark” your future adventure.

The Canyons are Calling!

Hello again, fellow wanderers! Are you ready for new adventures? I know we are. We are excited to see more RV sites and amenities welcoming visitors at The Canyon site in Page, Arizona. In February, we spent a few days roaming around and we want to share some things for you to see and do when you’re here. Here’s the scoop.

Day 1: After a day of travel, we settled in, then set out to find dinner. Sunset 89 offered a cozy fireplace and Island Pacific Rim fare, plus signature craft cocktails and wine. The patio promised a spectacular view of the canyons come warmer weather.

Day 2: The day started brilliantly, if cold, with sunshine, freshly baked donuts, and hot coffee from Hot n Sweet Coffee and Donut Shop. I felt like a kid again, eyes wide, my mind squirreling, trying to decide which scrumptious option to pick! So, I picked two: maple glaze and cinnamon donuts, chased with a comforting latte. I can tell you these are not your ordinary donuts. The shop owners, husband and wife team Mark Self and Becky Morrow, put a lotta love into creating the perfect morning delight: slightly crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, not too sweet but just with the right amount of flavor (wipes a bit of drool). Be sure to get there early, before they sell out! If sugar is not your thing, opt for one of the breakfast power burritos. Mark is a native of Page, Arizona and beyond delicious nutrition, he can point out some must-see things in the area.

At The Canyons RV Resort and Cabins, we hiked the rippling rocks to the right of the property, leading to a natural amphitheater (pronounced [AM] + [FEE] + [THEE] + [UH] + [TUH]), the host of what we hope to be future fun concerts and events.

For another nearby hike with a great view, we walked along the Page Rim Trail. We accessed the trail via Coppermine Rd., a right turn on Osprey, then right on Aqua and followed the road until it dead ended. This is an easy hike, great for going the distance—the entire trail is about 10 miles long in a loop.

The sun was shining but slowly a storm crept in—which made for amazing photos!

Day 3: We woke up to a dusting of snow which made the red canyon cliffs stand out even more beautifully. After yet another indulgent donut and coffee stop, we checked out The Canyons’ very own food and beverage lodge, and caught up on what was going on in the world thanks to the super-fast Wi-Fi. We tried the luxurious hot showers—perfect to warm up on a chilly day. As the sun bathed the canyons behind us in golden tones, we gathered by the fire to roast marshmallows and toast with wine.

Day 4: Adventure day! Have you ever ridden through the desert in a UTV? If you are feeling adventurous, Epic Adventure Rides will thrill you: their UTVs can navigate the shifty and harsh desert terrain as nimbly and effortlessly as a mountain goat. We rushed over red sand, stopped to take photos, and tested the UTV’s powers, as we hovered at a 60-70 degrees incline facing downslope—that kind of math IS fun!

But wait, there’s more! I joined Epic Adventure Rides’ owner Chris Pottorff and rode to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. This unspoiled 280,000-acre geologic treasure, encompasses a diverse landscape, including the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. Kaibab National Forest is to the west and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east. The terrain elevation spans from 3,100 to 7,100 feet. For added excitement, the monument is home to the magnificent yet endangered California condors, the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. If you are lucky to be there at the right time, you can walk in the shadow of their 8.9-10 ft wingspan. Each year, condors raised in a captive breeding program are released in the monument, typically in September.

The most popular destination in the area is The Wave, located in Coyote Buttes. However, visiting the Wave requires a special pass which is assigned via a lottery system to limit the number of hikers permitted per day. If you are not comfortable hiking on your own, there are guided tours available, with the necessary clearance from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Be sure to contact one of the local BLMs for more information and up-to-date conditions.

For my trip, I explored the Vermillion Cliffs area, accessible from Arizona’s state route 89A. There is no paved road through the Vermillion Cliffs area, and that’s where the UTV came in handy. We climbed the BLM-maintained dirt road winding and weaving toward our first photo op: a set of rocks that looked like dinosaur backs known as rock fins.

We crossed the Arizona-Utah state line as we straddled a couple of feet of snow, climbing further. Around us, wild sage bushes with a delicate fragrance and ponderosa pines dotted the vast high plateau. Chris pointed out a spiky green plant known as Indian or Mormon tea, which apparently delivers quite a jolt of energy, more so than caffeine.
But I didn’t need caffeine for my heart to skip a beat as I took in the expansive views around me: below, the mighty Colorado River, Lone Rock jutting above Wahweap Bay, the beginning of Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Staircase-Escalante way in the distance.

On our way back, it was Chris’ turn to get a thrill as I got to drive! Yahooo!!! How fun! (no worries, I kept it between the ditches—well, technically, I kept the wheels in the ditches, tracking previous treks).

As we rode back, we slowed down for some locals: cows grazed the sweet mountain grass, and a few little ones didn’t know how to mooove out of the way. As cute as they were, we didn’t want to miss the glowing sunset! The temperature dipped quickly as the sun approached the horizon, so Chris took over the driving and got us back to the base.

After a day-long adventure, I was ready to catch up with my fellow travelers over some sizzling queso fundido and a margarita at El Tapatio. The hot and hearty chicken tortilla soup was just what I needed to thaw out after a thrilling yet chilling day in the desert.

(This blog post has been written and published for The Canyons RV Resort and Cabins).