This was the rest day in the middle of the trip. The morning consisted of a late breakfast, paying my October bills and doing laundry at the hotel. In the afternoon I visited my favorite places around Page that showcase the Colorado River.
Just a mile (1.6 km) north of Page is the Glen Canyon Dam that created Lake Powell. When construction was complete, in 1963, It’s diversion tunnels were closed and the valleys to the north started filling with water to create Lake Powell, the country’s largest reservoir. Lake Powell took 17 years to fill to its designed water level of 3,700 feet (1,128 m) above sea level. Currently the level is 3,518 feet (1,072 m) and the reservoir is just 22% full. An image looking across the southern end of Lake Powell. When I visited in 2001, the water stretched the full way to the cliffs in the distance surrounding the formation in the center.The Colorado river flowing south through Glen Canyon as seen from a viewpoint about 500 yards (457 m) from my hotel in Page.My exercise for the day came from walking to the Horseshoe Bend overlook. This is 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Page and, when I last visited in 2010, was just a dusty path to the cliff edge. There are now so many visitors that it has been upgraded to a smooth gravel trail about 12 feet (3.7 m) wide and it now ends at a new, bigger and better viewpoint. It was very busy today.
Today was the longest planned drive of the trip – to Grand Canyon National Park‘s north rim. Unfortunately, most facilities at the north rim were destroyed by a wildfire in July 2025, including the wonderful stone lodge overlooking the canyon that was built in 1937. The north rim was closed for the rest of 2025 but re-opened with minimal amenities on May 15, 2026. Apart from campgrounds, there is no overnight accommodation available at the north rim so I had to drive there and much of the way back to get to my lodge for the night at Marble Canyon. The only facilities open to view the canyon are the two scenic roads leading to Cape Royal and to Point Imperial so that is what I did.
My first view of the canyon was at the end of the Cape Royal scenic drive. The arch on the right is called Angels Window.Yes, that is the Colorado river visible through Angels Window.This is a better view of the river from the viewpoint above Angels Window.Panorama view from Point Imperial. Click on the image to see the full size version.
Was it worth it to spend 5 hours driving for a visit of just 90 minutes? Yes! The Grand Canyon is always spectacular and so was today’s weather.
One thought on “Page and the Grand Canyon North Rim”
Definitely worth it!
Never tire of those views , even when in photos only.
Shame about stone lodge…. I recall seeing it years ago.
Definitely worth it!
Never tire of those views , even when in photos only.
Shame about stone lodge…. I recall seeing it years ago.