Need help. Too much to do, too little time

Question

Last week of December, day in Page.

Plan to leave at sunrise from flagstaff. 1:30 lower antelope tour. Sunset at Horseshoe Bend? Staying the night, and at sunrise driving to Grand Canyon.

Ideally leave Flagstaff, and on drive make several stops and enjoy the trip. Was told nice to see the lava flows and old Native American homes, but may take up a lot of time.

Must do seems to be Cameron Trading Post, and IMO quick trip to dinosaur tracks by Tuba City. Trying to decide detour by flagstaff up the hill. Or instead detour to Navajo bridge and maybe Lees ferry? Preference is to see as much scenery and wow unforgettable moments that I can’t see elsewhere.

Or skip both and spend more time around Page?

Answer

For a one-day trip from Flagstaff to Page in late December, your focus on maximizing scenery and “wow” moments is spot on. With limited daylight, careful planning is key.

Since you plan to leave at sunrise, consider prioritizing stops that offer unique scenery without consuming too much time. Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are iconic and definitely worth scheduling. Here’s how you could structure your day:

Early Morning Departure: Leave Flagstaff at sunrise to make the most of daylight.
Cameron Trading Post: A must-do stop for cultural context, quick breakfast/snack, and browsing Navajo crafts. Allocate 30-45 minutes.
Dinosaur Tracks near Tuba City: A fascinating and quick stop for something you won’t see elsewhere. Plan for 20-30 minutes.
Optional Detours:
- Sunset Crater/Wupatki: Beautiful lava flows and pueblo ruins, but it can take 1.5–2 hours to explore properly. In your time-constrained trip, you may want to skip or just do a quick drive-through to admire the landscape.
- Navajo Bridge and Lees Ferry: Offers stunning Colorado River views. You can stop for 20-30 minutes. If your priority is scenic “wow” moments, this may be more rewarding than the lava flows in a single day.

Arriving in Page:

Lower Antelope Canyon Tour: Booked for 1:30 p.m. Make sure to account for travel and check-in times.
Horseshoe Bend: Sunset is magical. Plan to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before sunset for a leisurely walk and photos. The hike is short but can be chilly in December, so dress warmly.
Overnight in Page: This allows you to rest and be ready for sunrise the next day heading to the Grand Canyon.

Tips and Recommendations:

With your one-day schedule, it’s better to skip long detours to fully explore Sunset Crater or Wupatki. Quick drive-bys or viewpoints are sufficient if you want to maximize Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend time.
Prioritize scenic, unique stops that you can’t see elsewhere: Navajo Bridge, Dinosaur Tracks, and Cameron Trading Post are efficient and memorable.
Ensure your vehicle is fueled and carry snacks/water—services are sparse along some stretches.
Daylight in late December is limited (roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), so time management is essential.

In summary, your best approach is:

Flagstaff → Cameron Trading Post → Dinosaur Tracks → optional Navajo Bridge → Page (Lower Antelope Canyon tour) → Horseshoe Bend sunset → overnight in Page.

This plan maximizes iconic scenery, cultural stops, and natural wonders, while avoiding long detours that would reduce your time at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Need help. Too much to do, too little time

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