Hiking

Bring plenty of water when hiking at Lake Powell and drink often. It’s important to remember to watch the sky for storms: it may not be raining where you are, but flooding can occur in downstream canyons—particularly slot canyons—from a storm miles away.

Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park Office. At this office near Page Hospital, you can purchase backcountry permits ($12 per person per 24-hour period), which are required before hiking to Rainbow Bridge or elsewhere on wilderness lands in the Navajo Nation. The office is open weekdays 8 to 5 and only accepts exact cash. Purchasing permits online is a simpler option. 337 N. Navajo Dr., Page, Arizona, 86040. 928/645--0268; navajonationparks.org.

Rainbow Bridge. Only seasoned hikers in good physical condition will want to try either of the trails leading to Rainbow Bridge; both are about 35 miles round-trip through challenging and rugged terrain with few trail signs. This site is considered sacred by the Navajo; visitors are asked to show respect by not walking under the bridge and backcountry hiking permits are required. Take Indian Highway 16 north toward the Utah state border. At the fork in the road, take either direction for about 5 miles to the trailhead leading to Rainbow Bridge. Excursion boats pull in at the dock near the arch, but no supplies are sold there. Difficult. Page, Arizona. www.nps.gov/rabr.