Page Arizona to Zion National Park – Road Trip Guide
Updated 2026 – Southwest road trip itinerary and photography guide
This post is part of my Southwest road trip photography series covering Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
If you missed the earlier days, you can follow the full trip here:
Southwest Road Trip Photography Guide – Phoenix, Sedona, Page, Zion & Las Vegas
After an incredible day in Page, Arizona photographing Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, it was time to head north toward Springdale, Utah — the gateway to Zion National Park. The drive from Page to Zion is not very long, but it turned into one of the most interesting days of the trip because there are so many unique stops along Highway 89.
We got up early, packed the gear, and started the drive north with no strict schedule, which is usually the best way to travel through this part of the Southwest.
Lone Rock Beach – Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell
Our first unexpected stop came when we saw a sign for Lone Rock Beach near Wahweap Bay, part of the Lake Powell recreation area. We had not originally planned to stop here, but curiosity got the best of us.
As soon as we pulled in, we realized this place was huge. The beach stretched out for what felt like miles, with campers and trucks parked right along the shoreline. People were driving directly onto the sand, setting up tents, and just relaxing by the water.
It had a very peaceful feeling, completely different from the busy tourist areas we had seen the day before. With the red rock cliffs in the distance and the wide open sky, it was easy to see why people come here and stay for days at a time.
I grabbed a few photos before we continued on, but this is definitely a place I would come back to with more time.
Toadstool Hoodoos – One of the Best Hidden Stops on Highway 89
Continuing north on Route 89, we made our next stop at the Toadstool Hoodoos. This was one of those places I had seen online but didn’t really know what to expect.
The hike to the hoodoos is short and fairly easy, but the landscape changes quickly as you walk in. The rock formations look almost unreal, with large balanced stones sitting on narrow bases, shaped by years of erosion.
It was the middle of the day, so the lighting wasn’t ideal for photography, but that is part of the challenge when traveling. You don’t always get golden hour, so you have to work with what you have. I spent some time walking around looking for angles that would give the formations more depth and shadow, and managed to come away with a few shots I was happy with.
This was one of those stops that turned out to be better than expected.
Kanab Dinosaur Tracks
Our next stop along Highway 89 was the Kanab Dinosaur Tracks. Neither of us had ever seen real dinosaur tracks before, so this was something we didn’t want to miss.
The site itself is pretty simple, but standing there looking at footprints left millions of years ago is a strange feeling. It’s one of those moments where you realize just how old the landscape out here really is.
We spent some time walking around the area, taking a few photos, and then continued north toward Utah.
Entering Zion National Park – Scenic Drive & Mount Carmel Tunnel
As we got closer to Springdale, the scenery started to change fast. The cliffs got higher, the colors got deeper, and the drive became more dramatic with every mile.
Driving into Zion National Park for the first time is something you don’t forget. The road winds through towering canyon walls, and every turn feels like something new.
One of the highlights of the drive was going through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel. When you come out the other side, the view opens up in a way that is hard to describe unless you see it for yourself. It was one of those moments where you just stop talking and look around.
We took our time driving through the park before finally arriving in Springdale, where we checked into our hotel and got ready for the evening.
Night Sky Photography in Zion – The Watchman
After dinner and a little rest, we headed back out for some night photography near the Zion Visitor Center. I wanted to try to get a shot of The Watchman with the night sky behind it.
Conditions were good, and the sky was clear, so I set up for long exposures and started experimenting with different shutter speeds. With longer exposures, the stars began to trail slightly, giving the photos a completely different look than the daytime shots.
Night photography in the Southwest is something special. The skies are dark, the air is clear, and the landscape takes on a completely different mood once the sun goes down.
It turned into a great way to end the day.
Tomorrow we planned to spend a full day exploring Springdale and Zion National Park, which would turn out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Continue the Southwest Road Trip Series
Southwest Road Trip Itinerary – Phoenix, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas
Previous Day - Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Photography Guide – Page Arizona
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