Lake Powell Resort/Wahweap Marina
Updated: May 23
The 5 Top things we did around Page AZ on this road trip
1. The Stunning Hoo-Doos of Stud-Horse Point
2. Boat trip to Rainbow Bridge
3. Explored an old corral
4 Hiked to the Great Wall (The Fins)
5. Drove to Alstrom Point
We drove 250 miles with our trailer from Torrey UT to Page AZ, spending 5.5 hours on the road, but the stunning scenery made it all worthwhile as we arrived at the Wahweap Campground by Lake Powell Resort.
We were surprised when we got to the marina. The site was a nice level concrete pad that was big enough to park 2 large motorhomes with room to spare and a great view of the lake. We stayed here for 4 nights.
Our main objective was to visit the massive Rainbow Bridge National Monument, believed to be the highest natural bridge in the world and administered by the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. On our first day, we drove to various overlooks of the picturesque Lake Powell, and in the afternoon, we headed off-road to Stud Horse Point for some amazing photos and to catch the stunning sunset, where we marveled at the large hoodoo and other unique formations.
The Stunning Hoo-Doos of Stud-Horse Point
We've been lucky enough to visit three times and have been amazed each time by the stunning views, which can be reached by taking 89 North out of Page to Ferry Swale Rd. to Blue Pools Rd., then following this to Stud Horse Point Rd. before turning right on Wildcat Rd. and arriving at the overlook, where you'll be treated to a variety of hoo-doos in different sizes, all of which are absolutely amazing, as well as sweeping views all the way to Lake Powell, and even an old corral that we'll be writing about in a later post!
Rainbow Bridge: A Perfect Day on the Water
We embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Rainbow Bridge and soaked in the picturesque scenery of the beautiful Lake Powell. The journey began as we boarded the tour boat at the resort, and we were amazed by the captain's skill in navigating the narrow channels. Upon arrival, a mile hike awaited us to reach the awe-inspiring span which is 290 feet high and is the largest natural bridge in the world. Different Native American tribes view this site as sacred and holy and fought to preserve the area from the expansion of tourism however they lost their court battles. Upon arrival at the site, we were met by a park ranger who gave us some history on the area and we were told to not walk through the bridge so some people scrambled over boulders to see the back side of the bridge. Everyone on our tour was respectful of the site however I've sadly heard that is not always the case.
Due to the current low water level in Lake Powell, accessing the dock by the Rainbow Bridge has become impossible. Only small watercraft can now access the area, and they have to beach their craft on a muddy bank that is quite a distance away from the bridge.
The other day, while at Stud Horse Point with Lorna, we spotted an old corral in the distance and decided to try to find it. After following a dirt road off Hwy 89, we eventually came across the deserted corral. It was set in a flat sandy area covered with tumbleweeds and we could see the large hoo-doo of Stud Horse Point up at the top of the cliff. The warped and split boards and broken posts suggested that it had been abandoned for some time. It looked like it was once used to herd cattle onto trucks. It was easy to imagine the activity and bustle that occurred in the area during loading times. We were glad we took the time to explore this off-the-beaten-path spot.
Later that day we went on a drive out to Alstrom Point hoping to get some sunset photos. It is an overlook of Lake Powell with beautiful views. Getting there takes some time. It is a 26-mile dirt road with a creek crossing and a few turns so set your odometer to zero at the start in Big Water Az. and follow directions. There are many sites where you can get the route. Here is a good one, www.alstrompoint.com.
We stayed until after sunset and were glad we wrote down the directions because I did get lost once and had to backtrack to find the route.
The camera setup I used for the Alstrom Point photos is here
The next day we went to the Fins in the Waterholes Canyon area. I've also heard it called The Great Wall. It is on Navajo Tribal Land, so you must get a day-use permit from the Navajo Tribal Office. The permit allows you to self-hike in the area. The Fins are beautiful wind-sculpted sandstone cliffs and dunes. They are on the west side of Highway 89 about 2 miles south of Page. It is a beautiful hike on a plateau that follows the canyon. On one hike out we saw a herd of sheep guarded by sheepdogs and a pack of coyotes following. I have been there 3 times, Once with some friends, once with Lorna, and once with my son and each time we were the only people out there.
In conclusion, our three visits to the area around Lake Powell have been nothing short of breathtaking. From the stunning views at Stud Horse Point and Alstrom Point to the unforgettable adventure to Rainbow Bridge, we've had the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. Even exploring off-the-beaten-path spots like the abandoned corral and the Fins in Waterholes Canyon has been a truly unforgettable experience. While the area may be remote and challenging to navigate, the payoff of seeing these amazing sites is absolutely worth it. If you have the chance to visit this beautiful part of the world, we highly recommend taking the time to explore and discover its hidden gems.
Lorna’s Tips and Lessons
When camping in rain or snow, having a mud scrub and scraper for muddy shoes outside your trailer can be extremely helpful. When you're camping in wet and muddy conditions, it's easy to track dirt and mud inside your trailer. By having a mud scrub and scraper outside your trailer, you can remove most of the dirt and mud from your shoes before entering, keeping the inside of your trailer cleaner. This lets you have more time to enjoy your trip and less time cleaning.