It’s no wonder Sedona is one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet. Visitors come for its otherworldly landscape of red rocks and spiritual vortexes, then linger for the acclaimed arts scene, five-star dining and renowned resorts.
Though the town of Page near the Arizona-Utah border skews a little more laid-back, its vibrant natural wonders will more than appeal to Sedona fans.
Antelope Canyon
Shaped from millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon features two areas of slot canyons — Upper and Lower — where smooth rock formations twist and turn. Tucked into Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, this area is accessible only with a Navajo guide. Space on tours is limited, which means you get an intimate and highly personalized hiking adventure to one of the world’s most coveted natural sights.
Horseshoe Bend
Possibly the most photographed places in the American Southwest, the iconic Horseshoe Bend forms the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon and plunges 1,000 feet down from a rocky sandstone escarpment. The bend was carved by the Colorado River and the deep blues of the water contrast strikingly against the reds and oranges of the rock, resulting in a cacophony of vivid hues.
Lake Powell
Massive Lake Powell stretches nearly 190 miles long and features 2,000 miles of shoreline, making it the second-largest human made lake in the country. More impressive than its size is the backdrop: Rust-red sandstone cliffs, blue skies and the towering Glen Canyon Dam. Glen Canyon National Park Services offers guided tours of the region via helicopter, boat, smooth water rafting and more.
Vermilion Cliffs and The Wave
Some of the strangest and most astonishing geologic formations on Earth can be found at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, an undulating wonder of cliffs thousands of feet high, slender slot canyons and The Wave, that famously photographed crest of rock layered in color. Accessing this area is available via lottery — find out how to plan a trip with our guide to visiting The Wave.
Header image credit: Lake Powell Resort and Marina, Page. Photo credit: Gary Ladd.
Heather Wuelpern
Fueled by wanderlust, Heather has explored 32 countries. She calls Tucson, Arizona, home, where she creates found-object art, writes freelance pieces and chats with fellow creatives on her podcast when she's not working at her full-time job. Read more of Heather's freelance samples at Travel, Write, Repeat. Listen to her "Wander & Muse with Heather" podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
