Waterholes Canyon

You need to have a permit from Navajo Parks and Recreation to access Waterholes Canyon. Permits can often be obtained at the entrance to Upper Antelope Canyon, or at at the Navajo Parks and Recreation office near LeChee Chapter House in Page. Waterholes Canyon is about five miles from Page and is a good early-mid afternoon destination, especially in the summer. If you are going to be in Page for the day (e.g. to photograph Antelope Canyon) you might want to follow your shoot with the Waterholes overlook of the Colorado river, followed by "The Great Wall". Just south of where Waterholes Canyon joins the Colorado River there is a bend in the Colorado, comparable to Horseshoe Bend. This bend is rarely visited; I could find no photos of it on the web. I'll call it Waterholes Bend. By hiking west along the southern rim of Waterholes Canyon you can reach a good overlook of the bend. The trailless sandy hike is approximately 2.5 miles one way. Waterholes Bend is significantly more difficult to reach than Horseshoe Bend.  Good images of Waterholes Bend can be obtained at sunrise, this would require a long hike in the dark. For me mid afternoon is preferable. You need a 16mm or wider lens to shoot the whole overlook, and 14 - 15 mm would be better. A pano head would also work. A polarizer can help reduce glare off the Colorado River, just don't include much sky in your photo. You'll need to stand uncomfortably close to the edge of the cliff to get the full bend. I wouldn't get that close on a windy day. Also be sure the rock you wish to shoot from isn't undercut. If you're with someone have them anchor you by holding onto the back of your belt!