Hiking the Hanging Garden Trail Arizona

If you’re looking for an easy hike in Page Arizona, you might want to check out the Hanging Gardens trail Arizona, located right off the main US-89 highway through town. This is an easy, flat hike that is considered part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation area — nearly anyone can do this hike, and it leads you to an interesting desert oasis.

Hanging Gardens Trail in Page Arizona – Quick Stats:

Distance: 1.4 miles
Type: Out and back
Elevation Gain: 72 feet
Difficulty: Easy. The trail is well-marked, for the most part. There are a few parts where you could easily make a wrong turn though.
Dogs are allowed
Fee or Permits: No fees, no permits. Access to the Hanging Gardens trail Arizona is completely free
Time Required: Plan for about an hour to complete the hike, depending on how long you spend at the gardens.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to hike. This avoids the midday heat and the lighting is great for photos.

Hanging Gardens Trailhead Location:

The trailhead for Hanging Gardens hike is very easy to find — and conveniently located right off of the main US-89 highway as you drive through Page. The last part of the drive is on an unpaved road, but it is typically accessible to regular cars. The parking lot is fairly large and while this trail is busy, you shouldn’t have any issue getting a space no matter what time of day/year you visit.

What to Bring when Hiking Hanging Gardens in Page, Arizona

Although this is a very short trail, it’s still the desert and you should always be prepared:

• Water: Always carry more water than you think you will need, even on a short hike! Especially in the desert climate!
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential to protect against the strong sun. There is no shade on this trail!
• Camera: The red rock landscapes and the hanging gardens themselves are very photogenic.
• Comfortable Footwear: Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking on loose sand and rocky paths.

Hanging Garden Trail Map

This is the All Trails Map – I always use All Trails when hiking, even on easy trails. I was glad to have my map with me, as there was one part of the trail when I was on my way back where I got a little turned around.

Hiking to Hanging Gardens

The trail to the Hanging Gardens is well-marked and mostly flat, varying from somewhat loose sand to slick red rock surfaces. The trail winding through classic desert red rock scenery with views as far as the eye can see. As you walk, you’ll see a variety of desert plants and, if you’re lucky, some wildlife. I just saw a few tiny lizards — I love encountering them — they’re so cute.

Along the way, you’ll have to keep your eye out for the cairns/boulders, which will direct you to the hanging gardens. You’ll eventually wind your way around a curve, which leads to beautiful desert vistas as far as the eye can see.

The highlight of the hike is the Hanging Gardens. When you do reach the hanging gardens, you might be a bit underwhelmed. You’ll know it when you see it — it’s a bunch of dense green (or if you hike in winter, dead-looking!) vegetation growing under a rock outcropping. The vegetation is able to grow and survive in this arid climate as water will seep through from the rocks, allowing ferns and other vegetation to thrive. I knew what to expect from this hike — in other words, NOT MUCH — but if you go into this hike thinking it will be on the same level of the other attractions in this area, you’re going to be disappointed. This is essentially just a bunch of overgrown vegetation growing out of a cliff. That’s pretty much it.

But it is kinda cool, if you think about how this dense undergrowth of plants survives in this harsh climate.

You can sit around by the hanging gardens and enjoy the view and when you’re done, just turn around and go back the same way you came. Make sure to keep an eye on either your map or the cairns as it can be easy to go off-trail – I lost the trail myself on the way back. Had I kept going, I would’ve ended up on a cliff!

Where to Stay in Page Arizona

Page is chock-full of hotels — they’ve got hotels from all your favorite chains, so you’re definitely going to find something of your liking. I’ve stayed in Page, Arizona twice – once at the Best Western (for one night) and once at the Sleep Inn (for three nights).

Page hotels can get quite expensive, especially during busy summer road trip times. I’ve only stayed in Page during early spring and I found hotels extremely reasonable (the Sleep Inn was only $90/night in March 2024!) Rates can easily triple during busier times of the year.

RELATED: I have a TON of Arizona posts – check them out here!

Final Thoughts – Hanging Gardens Trail in Page Arizona

Okay, so it’s not the most spectacular hike out there and honestly, I’d classify this as something to do in Page Arizona if you’re looking to either stretch your legs or looking to kill time, as I was. I can’t say that this is one of the top things to do in Page, as it’s just not that impressive. But, it’s way to get out there in nature, take a stroll among the red rocks and just enjoy the scenery. If you have time to kill, definitely check out this trail. Otherwise, if you’re short on time, skip this and stick to the highlights of Page, like Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.