antelope canyon worth the trip

Antelope Canyon is open year-round; however, most people will try to visit mid-day during weekends from March through October, when the light shafts appear. Crowds will be at their peak then, which may make it difficult to snap that perfect shot Find better rates, fewer people and still amazing views during the off-season from November through late February, and especially in January. Though uncommon, Antelope Canyon may close during days of heavy rain or snow. This is more likely to happen from June to September, during Arizona's monsoon season.

What you'll need

You'll also need a prior reservation with an authorized Navajo guide to visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Book online before you visit since tours can sell out weeks in advance. Additionally, you'll need:

• A permit, though this is usually covered in your guide's fee (see below).
• Good walking shoes, especially if visiting Lower Antelope Canyon.
• See "What to bring" below for more specific items.

What it costs

Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. The tribe has reduced the availability of photography tours, however, because they frequently caused bottlenecks by allowing photographers to bring their tripod and spend more time setting up shots. Most 90-minute tours of Upper Antelope Canyon cost between $50 and $90 (slightly less for children), although some operators offer discounts on their early bird and last chance tours. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options. The price generally—but not always—includes taxes and the $8 Navajo permit fee. (Check with your tour company if you have any questions about additional fees.)

What to bring

Do: Wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Apply plenty of sunscreen, even in winter. Bring a hat or handkerchief for protection from the sand, and if you wear contact lenses, consider opting for eyeglasses instead. You are allowed to bring one bottle of water (and we highly recommend you do). Just make sure you take it out with you after the tour. Don't: Bring bags, purses, fanny packs, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, food and drinks—all are prohibited in the canyon.

There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the canyon.

The trip into the canyon

Whether you start in Page or at the park's entrance, be prepared to ride in a four-wheel-drive vehicle through a sandy riverbed to the canyon. Each vehicle has a Navajo guide that ushers the group through, shares information about the formations and even helps stage some photos, including sand cascading over a rock ledge. Sand is everywhere. On windy days, dust can blow into your nose, mouth and ears. If you have a DSLR camera, cover it when you are not using it (a plastic shower cap does the trick) and never change lenses inside the canyon.

Photography tips

It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. With a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture. To photograph the beams of light, book a tour that will be in the canyon between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., May through October. Don't forget to look up, especially when the canyon is crowded. Several tour operators, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours , also offer tours of nearby, nearly-as-spectacular canyons. Avid photographers may want to consider booking one of these tours, too. Simply inquire when booking.

Where to stay

Though hardly remote by some Arizona standards, Antelope Canyon is still considered a lengthy drive and hike for many areas of the state. Additionally, there are quite a few other amazing sites to see nearby— Horseshoe Bend , White Pocket and the Vermilion Cliffs , and Lake Powell —that many people choose to stay at least one night to get the most from their trip. Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake Powell This national chain is among the area's newer properties and ranks high among past guests for its clean, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and free hot breakfast. The large parking lot is able to accommodate boats, buses and RVs. The Bear's Den B&B Owners "Bubba and Deb-B" operate this cozy three-room bed and breakfast in Page that's fully ADA-compliant. Amenities include pillowtop mattresses, a small fridge and microwave, private bathrooms, and plenty of bear decor. Shash Dine' Eco-Retreat For a truly unique stay, book a Najavo hogan or sheepherder wagon at this sustainable glamping campsite and B&B operated by Baya, a member of the Navajo Nation. You will stay on Navajo land in one of eight simple accommodations—no electricity or running water, but fresh drinking water—with nothing but views for miles. Lake Powell Resort If a visit to Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is on your list, you can't get closer than a stay at this resort located at Wahweap Marina in Page. Hotel guests can book a boat tour, dinner cruise or rent their own powerboat for an unforgettable day on the water.

Nearby slot canyons

Antelope Canyon tours sometimes sell out, especially during high season. If tours aren’t available when you want to go, consider booking a tour of one of these slot canyons near Page.

Canyon X: Named for the point where its walls create an “X” overhead, this canyon sees far fewer visitors than Antelope Canyon but is equally breathtaking. Book a tour with the property’s owners, Taadidiin Tours .

Cardiac Canyon: Taadidiin Tours also offers private treks through Cardiac Canyon. While it requires some scrambling to see the 2.5-mile canyon’s sights, adventurers are rewarded with solitude unavailable in Antelope Canyon.

Mountain Sheep Canyon: Several companies, such as Black Streak Canyon Tours , guide groups through this off-the-beaten-path canyon with its undulating sandstone walls. Be prepared for a hike to its entrance.

Rattlesnake and Owl Canyons: Often toured together, these canyons provide dramatically different experiences. While Rattlesnake twists and turns, Owl has open areas. Book tours through companies like Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours and Shun’Diin Canyon Tours.

Leave no trace

Antelope Canyon and the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving. Adhere to the Leave No Trace principles as much as you possibly can so future visitors may continue to enjoy.

Marvel at nature’s artistry

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About the Author

Teresa Bitler

Teresa Bitler is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, American Way, Wine Enthusiast, and AAA publications. She is the author of two guidebooks and a contributor to Fodors Arizona & The Grand Canyon.

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The 11 best antelope canyon tours.

In order to see Antelope Canyon, you'll need to book a guided tour.

The Best Antelope Canyon Tours

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Key Takeaways

• The only way to see Antelope Canyon is with a guided tour.
• Tours go to the Upper Canyon (which is most poular), Lower Canyon or Canyon X.
• Most tours depart from Page, Arizona, but you can also book day trips from Las Vegas and Sedona.
• When booking your tour, keep in mind that Antelope Canyon follows daylight saving time, unlike the rest of Arizona.

Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona's Antelope Canyon is a magnet for photographers and tourists traveling through the American Southwest.

The famous landmark forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. As such, the Navajo Nation requires that visitors are led by authorized guides, who provide tours of the Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon and Canyon X. These tours depart from or close to Page, Arizona, though you can also find Antelope Canyon tours from Sedona and Las Vegas .

Note: Most of Arizona does not follow daylight saving time, though the Navajo Nation, where Antelope Canyon is located, does. Be sure to take this into account when planning your visit.

Upper Antelope Canyon Tours

Lower antelope canyon tours, antelope canyon x tours, antelope canyon tours from las vegas, antelope canyon tours from sedona, upper vs. lower antelope canyon.

Before choosing a tour, you'll need to decide which part of the canyon you'd like to see.

The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. Exploring the Lower Canyon , in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. Canyon X is less popular, but equally beautiful.

How to Get to Antelope Canyon

Upper Canyon: Companies that provide tours of the Upper Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona (where Antelope Canyon is located), and provide transportation. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. Drivers coming from the north or south can take Route 89, drivers from the west can take Route 89A, and visitors commuting from the east can take Route 98.

Lower Canyon: Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon's entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. Travelers on a Lower Canyon tour will need to drive to the tour operator's location. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page.

Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Because the Upper Canyon is easiest to walk through, it is also quite popular, especially at peak times during the summer. Considering this, making tour reservations well in advance is highly recommended. No matter which tour you pick, you're guaranteed to see incredible rock formations in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

Price: From $92 Duration: 80 minutes

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon. Expert guides lead travelers through the canyon to showcase its magnificent colors. Tours are offered several times daily. Note that children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and that pregnant women are not permitted on the tours.

Travelers enjoy the tour and appreciate the guides' insights, though some wish they had more time to spend in the canyon.

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours also runs outings to Upper Antelope Canyon combined with either Rattlesnake Canyon or both Rattlesnake and Owl canyons.

Check prices & availability on:

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – Guided Sightseers Tour

Price: From $100 Duration: 1.5 hours

All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, who are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by travelers. The company's 1.5-hour sightseer tours of the Upper Canyon take place several times daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. Note that prices for the 11:40 a.m. tour are slightly higher, as this is peak time to explore the canyon.

The company opens up online reservations one to two months in advance, so be sure to book early, as tickets sell out quickly.

Antelope Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Sightseeing Tour

Price: Adults from $85; kids from $75 Duration: 100 minutes

Navajo owned and operated, Antelope Canyon Tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides. On the company's sightseeing tours, you'll spend about an hour in the canyon, plus 40 minutes round-trip travel time to the Antelope Canyon Tours office in Page. Tours run multiple times daily starting at 7:50 a.m., and there is one moderately difficult, 15-minute uphill hike involved. Keep in mind: If you are unable to book a child's ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.

After seeing Upper Antelope Canyon, consider visiting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument with the company on its daylong tour.

Antelope Slot Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

Price: Adults from $112; kids from $102 Duration: 1.5 hours

Along with standard tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Slot Canyon Tours also offers tours of the nearby Cathedral Canyon. If you're set on a visit to the Upper Canyon, you'll have four time slots to choose from for the 90-minute tour. Pricing varies depending on the time of day and popularity of the tour time.

Discounted tickets are available for members of the military and children ages 6 to 12; children younger than 6 are not permitted. Patrons should be prepared for 20 to 30 minutes of walking while on the tour.

The company's guides consistently earn positive reviews for their knowledge not only of the area's history and culture but also of their photography techniques.

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Two companies lead excursions through Lower Antelope Canyon. The path inside the Lower Canyon can be quite narrow, which may be an issue for visitors uncomfortable with confined spaces. Because of the relatively rugged nature of the terrain, pregnant people and those with heart or joint problems might want to skip these excursions. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip.

Ken's Tours – General Tour

Price: Adults from $55; kids from $35 Duration: 1 hour

The General Tour offered by Ken's Tours lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. Tours depart daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you'll need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in.

For more information about Navajo culture, book the Deluxe Tour. You'll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you'll also visit the Hózhǫ́ Haz'ą́ Heritage Site and enjoy a meal. This tour costs approximately $135 per person. These tours depart five times daily (three in the morning and two in the afternoon). Guides are frequently described as informative and friendly and the scenery as unsurpassable.

Dixie's Lower Antelope Canyon Tours – Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour

Price: Adults from $55; kids from $35 Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours

These hikes, which travelers say are led by knowledgeable and professional guides, usually last 60 to 90 minutes and cover about a mile. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Exact departure times vary by season.

Dixie Ellis also offers daylong van tours that combine the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour with visits to the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley.

While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. Antelope Canyon X – which gets its name from the X-shaped formation at the top of the canyon – is located within Antelope Canyon, so it still features the same geologic features the Upper and Lower areas are known for, but its relative anonymity makes it less of a tourist magnet.

Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours

Price: Adults from $40; kids from $30 Duration: 1.5 hours

Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours is the only operator running tours of Antelope Canyon X. It operates 1.5-hour small-group hikes through the canyon. Travelers rave about their visits to this site, and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides. Tours depart at multiple different times daily. Note that an additional $8 hiking permit is required for visitors ages 8 and older.

Photography enthusiasts can sign up for Taadidiin's Photo Tour, which spends three hours in the canyon and permits participants to bring a tripod and a camera bag. Fees start at about $125 per person.

Tour operators offer full and multiday excursions from Las Vegas that include Antelope Canyon as well as national parks and other iconic attractions.

Bindlestiff Tours - 3-Day National Parks Tour

Price: $875 Duration: 3 days

Depart Las Vegas for this three-day, two-night tour through Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon (where you'll have the option to take a helicopter ride ). The small-group tour also visits Monument Valley, with the option to add a Navajo-guided tour of Antelope Canyon.

Prices include transportation, some meals, a choice of camping or hotel accommodations at the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan, camping equipment and national park entrance fees. Children must be at least 5 years old to join the tour.

Recent travelers raved about this tour, noting that Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon were their favorite parts of the experience.

Coexist West Coast - Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Price: From $280 Duration: 15 hours

Travelers have a choice between the Lower Canyon and Canyon X on this full-day tour from Las Vegas. Following your visit to Antelope Canyon – which is led by a certified Navajo guide – you'll head to nearby Horseshoe Bend for a short hike and more stellar views. Recent travelers appreciate the small group size of these tours, as well as the friendly guides.

Tour prices include round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels , attraction entrance fees and water.

Antelope Canyon is roughly three hours from Sedona, making it a great day trip. Many tour operators offer transportation from both Sedona and nearby Flagstaff.

Great Venture Tours - Antelope Canyon Tour

Price: Adults from $259; kids from $239 Duration: 11.5 hours

This Antelope Canyon tour conveniently picks up from hotels in Sedona , Oak Creek Village and Flagstaff. In addition to a Navajo-guided trip through the Upper Canyon, it includes a stop at the historic Cameron Trading Post to shop for art and souvenirs, a visit to Glen Canyon Dam, and views of Lake Powell, among other highlights. Lunch at a sit-down restaurant is also included in the tour price.

Reviewers say the tour guides are exceptional, and because it's a long trip, they appreciated that there were plenty of bathroom breaks and stops along the way. 

Note that children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.

Pink Adventure Tours - Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour

Price: Adults from $269; kids from $249 Duration: 11 hours

Pink Adventure Tours, popular for its Jeep tours in Sedona , also offers day trips to Antelope Canyon. On the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour, travelers will visit the Lower Canyon, followed by a 1.5-mile hike to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. This tour also includes lunch and a stop at Cameron Trading Post. Travelers highly recommend this tour, saying it exceeded their expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The celebrated light beams that illuminate the canyon are most likely to be seen during the spring and summer months, making April through September the best (and most popular) time to visit.

You cannot visit Antelope Canyon unless you sign up for an official tour. Only authorized tour companies are permitted onto the site. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to make your reservations ahead of time. There are no self-guided hikes available within the canyon, and visitors must stay with their tour group at all times.

Tour companies' fees vary, but tickets (including entrance to the park) generally start at around $50 for 1.5-hour tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Tours of Lower Antelope Canyon tend to be shorter (around an hour) and generally start around $40 per adult.

It's best to dress in layers, as it can get 5 to 10 degrees cooler in the canyon. Closed-toe walking shoes with good traction (or hiking boots), sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are also advised.

In order to protect both Antelope Canyon and its visitors, the following items are prohibited:

• Bags: All bags are strictly prohibited, including backpacks and fanny packs.
• Food: You can bring a water bottle, but other beverages and food are not allowed.
• Selfie sticks and tripods: Photography is permitted, even encouraged, but selfie sticks, tripods and other large equipment are only allowed on professional photography tours.

You may also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in Arizona
• The Best National Parks in the U.S.
• The Best Places to Hike in North America

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How to Visit Antelope Canyon – Best Times & Tours

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Walking through Antelope Canyon ’s maze of sandstone walls, with the breathtaking rays of sunlight peeking through from above, is one of the most mesmerizing experiences.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona , is a unique treasure in the American Southwest, and as soon as we saw photos of this place, we knew we had to see it for ourselves. Plus, since it’s in Page, just 10 minutes from Horseshoe Bend, we could easily visit Antelope Canyon during our 10-day West Coast road trip .

How to visit Antelope Canyon – Best times & tours

Remember, Antelope Canyon, Arizona, is on Navajo Nation land , so you must book a tour to see this natural wonder. We’ve toured all the different sections, and they’re each worth checking out, although it depends on your preferences.

This guide will help you find the perfect Antelope Canyon tour , and I’ll share tips on the best time to visit Antelope Canyon and how to get there from several popular cities.

How to visit Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation, Arizona

Below, I’ll help you plan your itinerary with tips on the best time to visit Antelope Canyon , how to get there, and which section to visit.

Most people go to Antelope Canyon on their own, but if you’re in Las Vegas and short on time, consider taking an Antelope Canyon tour from Vegas . We have a complete article on that, so in this guide, I’m sharing everything you should know about touring Antelope Canyon on your own:

Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon – Which section is best?

Best time to visit antelope canyon, antelope canyon ticket prices and opening hours, antelope canyon tours.

• Things to do near Antelope Canyon

How to get to Antelope Canyon

Where to stay near Antelope Canyon

Before you visit Antelope Canyon , you should decide which part you want to see: Lower Antelope Canyon vs. Upper Antelope Canyon . Of course, you can always visit both, which is what we did during one of our trips.

Both sections are worth seeing, so your decision will likely come down to your budget and preferences.

Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous part of this attraction, bringing in lots of tourists who want to see the Antelope Canyon light beams . If you want to see the rays of sunlight poking through the sandstone, as well as falling sands, this is where you need to go.

The entrance to Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level, and it’s about a ¼-mile walk through the slot canyon. Please be aware that this is now a one-way path. To avoid the previous crowds of tourists going both ways in the canyon, the Navajo Nation has created a new route that involves using a small set of stairs and hiking ½-mile around the canyon back to the starting point. The path has soft sand and areas with narrow metal ramps and walkways, so it’s not suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon is just as magnificent as Upper Antelope Canyon, even though you can’t see the light beams here. On the plus side, the path through the slot canyon is wider, and the tours aren’t as rushed.

The downside is that the Lower Antelope Canyon hike is longer and more challenging since you must go up and down several staircases and ladders. The tour guide will help you navigate these obstacles, but if you have limited mobility, it’s best to skip this section.

Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon

During one of our trips, we visited Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day. Both sections of Antelope Canyon were worth it, but there are some things to keep in mind:

• If you want to save money, consider taking the Lower Antelope Canyon tour .
• For the Upper Antelope Canyon tour , plan your visit for the summer, during midday. This is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon to see the spectacular light beams and reflections.
• If you can afford it, it’s worth seeing both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon since they each offer unique views and features.

In the chart below, you can compare the highlights and features of Lower Antelope Canyon vs. Upper Antelope Canyon :

  *Prices and tours may vary depending on the season

Antelope Canyon X, a lesser-known slot canyon worth visiting

Before you commit to an Antelope Canyon tour , consider the third option: Antelope Canyon X . This lesser-known section is part of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, but it’s not as frequented by tourists.

Despite going deeper into the canyon, it’s a bit more accessible than Lower Antelope, and the price is cheaper, too. Here, you can capture amazing photos of the red-orange walls and the distinct “X” formation in the rock ceiling .

You can go to Antelope Canyon year-round, but I recommend planning your visit so you can make the most of your time, the weather conditions, and the availability of tours. Below, I’ll share the best time to visit Antelope Canyon .

Best time of year to visit Antelope Canyon

If you want to see the Upper Antelope Canyon light beams , the best time to go is between late March and early October . On the other hand, you can avoid the tourist crowds if you visit Antelope Canyon between November and March . The downside is that you’ll miss the light beams.

In reality, Antelope Canyon is becoming more and more popular, so even the low travel season brings in lots of tourists. If you have your heart set on photographing the rays of sunlight peeking through the slot canyon, you’ll have to brave the crowds.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the monsoon season in Arizona lasts from June to September. During these months, the weather at Antelope Canyon can get super rainy and increase the risk of flooding. It’s not too common, but the canyon can close if there is too much precipitation.

Best time of day to visit Antelope Canyon

Now that you know the best time to go to Antelope Canyon , let’s zero in on what time of day to visit the Upper Canyon.

To see the light beams at Antelope Canyon , you should visit between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m . This is when the sun is perpendicular to the canyon, giving you the best chance of seeing this famous natural phenomenon. Also, try to plan your visit on a clear, cloudless day so the sunlight can poke through the canyon walls .

Tickets to Antelope Canyon sell out quickly, so once you decide which section you want to visit and when, make sure to book online. The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours include the $8 permit to enter Navajo Nation. If you plan to visit Antelope Canyon X, keep some cash on hand to pay the permit fee upon arrival.

Below, you can see the prices and hours for the Antelope Canyon tours. However, I recommend double-checking the costs and schedules online since they may vary throughout the year.

Upper Antelope Canyon tickets and opening hours

The Upper Antelope Canyon tickets are the most expensive, at $125 per person . That said, this is the most popular tour because you can see the Antelope Canyon light beams , and the path is a bit easier. The tour lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes and is available at 7:50 a.m., 9:50 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:10 p.m.

Lower Antelope Canyon tickets and opening hours

The Lower Antelope Canyon tour is becoming more popular, so make sure you book in advance. It costs $84 per person ($10 for kids 3 and under). The tour lasts 90 minutes and runs every 30 minutes from 7:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.

Can you visit Antelope Canyon without a tour?

While you may prefer to visit Antelope Canyon on your own , it’s not allowed. This natural monument is located on Navajo Nation land, so an Antelope Canyon Navajo tour is required .

If you book one of the tours above, you can reserve your spot with a knowledgeable Navajo guide, who will walk you through this magnificent place. Plus, the $8 Antelope Canyon permit is included in the tour price .

Although many people call it Antelope Canyon National Park , Antelope Canyon is not actually managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Rather, it’s located on Navajo Nation land, so you must book an Antelope Canyon Navajo tour to visit.

There are a few options depending on your budget and preferences. The Upper Antelope Canyon tour is the most popular, while the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is more adventurous. There is also the Antelope Canyon X tour , which is the cheapest option and quite underrated.

Upper Antelope Canyon tours

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular section and the easiest to access. It is the most expensive option too, but it’s where you can see the famous light beams and falling sands.

The tour starts with a short 4×4 ride to the mouth of the canyon. Your Navajo guide will share details about Antelope Canyon’s history and formation before you begin the walk through the slot canyon. Inside, it’s about a ¼-mile stretch with mostly flat terrain, although the ground is sandy. The hike is now one-way, so you don’t have to worry about running into people coming from the other direction.

Once you reach the end of the canyon, you’ll climb a small set of stairs, then complete the hike around the canyon, back to the starting point. This is about another ½ mile of walking, and there are narrow metal ramps and walkways to navigate, so you must be careful.

The photography tour here was my favorite thing to do at Antelope Canyon , but the Navajo Nation stopped offering it. According to the official statement, this is “to free up space in the canyon and make the experience more enjoyable for the visitors.”

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHING ANTELOPE CANYON

I really hope they start these photo tours up again because now the guided tour is a bit rushed, making it difficult to capture photos of the light beams and reflections on the canyon walls. Even so, I still think visiting Upper Antelope Canyon is worth it .

Lower Antelope Canyon tours

A Lower Antelope Canyon tour is a great alternative if you want to save money and avoid the tourist crowds. Just keep in mind that the hike through this part of the canyon is more difficult, with uneven terrain, metal staircases, and steep descents.

As long as you’re physically capable of climbing up and down the stairways, you will be fine. The Antelope Canyon guide will assist each person in your group one at a time, and the effort is worth it. Lower Antelope Canyon is deeper than the upper section, as well as longer and wider, so you have more space to move around.

Even though you can’t see the light beams here, the shapes and patterns on the walls are gorgeous. You’ll also have more time to explore and take photos, so it’s a good deal if you’re looking to save money on your Antelope Canyon tour .

Antelope Canyon X tours

Yet another option is the Antelope Canyon X tour . On this excursion, you’ll visit a different part of the slot canyon that includes Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. In addition to being less crowded and hectic, the tour is cheaper.

Touring Antelope Canyon X feels a bit different since you’re deeper in the canyon. This gives you the feeling of really being immersed in the environment, so you can admire the fiery sandstone walls and the unique “X” shape of the rock formations.

This Antelope Canyon slot tour costs $65, and you’ll have to pay for the $8 permit separately in cash. The tours run every 40 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m .

Other things to do near Antelope Canyon

You only need a few hours to enjoy all the things to do at Antelope Canyon . The tours last about 1.5 hours, so if you want to explore the nearby area afterward, there are plenty of things to do.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is just a 15-minute drive from Antelope Canyon, so you can easily visit both attractions in one day. Lake Powell is a manmade reservoir in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where you can go swimming, waterskiing, and boating. There are also hiking trails around beautiful sandstone walls and formations, so it’s worth stopping by.

Lake Powell, a place to visit near Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are in Page, Arizona , so you can lump them together in the same visit. I recommend taking an Antelope Canyon tour in the morning and then hiking to the Horseshoe Bend lookout to watch the sunset.

Horseshoe Bend, another attraction to see by Antelope Canyon

We have a complete guide to visiting Horseshoe Bend , but I’ll tell you now that it’s worth checking out. This horseshoe-shaped meander was carved out by the Colorado River over thousands of years. The lookout point is almost 1,000 feet high, so the views are insane. You can even combine a tour of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend by booking this excursion .

Antelope Canyon boat tour

If an Antelope Canyon hike is too much for you, consider taking a boat tour instead. This cruise goes through the Navajo Canyon, during which you’ll get scenic views of the massive Glen Canyon Dam, the colorful sandstone walls, and Lake Powell.

Another option is this day tour , which includes a sightseeing cruise along Lake Powell, a walk to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument , and a picnic lunch. Both tours depart from the marina at Lake Powell Resort, about a 20-minute drive from Antelope Canyon .

Antelope Canyon kayak tours

Another way to tour Antelope Canyon is by taking a kayaking excursion. This will allow you to admire the sandstone walls and formations from a whole new perspective.

This half-day tour includes a guided kayaking trip along Lake Powell and a visit to the secluded Water Antelope Canyon. Plus, a shuttle service from Page, AZ, is available.

If you prefer to organize your own Antelope Canyon day trip , you can go to Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks by the Page Airport and rent a kayak, paddleboard, or inflatable stand-up paddleboard for the day.

Closest airports to Antelope Canyon, Arizona

If you want to fly into an airport near Antelope Canyon , you have a few options. The Page Municipal Airport is super close by, but there are others in the vicinity. For example, if you fly into the Harry Reid International Airport, you can spend some time enjoying Las Vegas’ top attractions and then visit Antelope Canyon.

In summary, these are the closest airports to Antelope Canyon :

• Page Municipal Airport (Page, AZ) – 7 miles away
• Cedar City Regional Airport (Cedar City, UT) – 105 miles away
• George Regional Airport (St. George, UT) – 115 miles away
• Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (Flagstaff, AZ)– 135 miles away
• Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas, NV) – 280 miles away

Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona , and most tours depart from downtown Page or the entrance to Antelope Canyon.

Getting to Antelope Canyon from Page Municipal Airport takes about 12 minutes by car. From the airport, take Sage Ave to Coppermine Rd, then turn left onto AZ-98 E. Stay on AZ-98 E for 4.5 miles until you see the Antelope Canyon parking lot on your right (for Upper Antelope Canyon) or left (for Lower Antelope Canyon).

Of course, many people visit Antelope Canyon from other cities. Below, you’ll find directions on how to get to Antelope Canyon from popular cities and attractions like Las Vegas, Sedona, and Zion National Park .

Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon

Sin City is a popular vacation spot, and the closest major airport to Antelope Canyon is in Las Vegas. The city is about a 4.5-hour drive (278.5 miles) from Antelope Canyon. Many tourists choose to stay in Las Vegas and use it as a home base while they explore nearby attractions.

If you decide to do the same, you can rent a car in Las Vegas and drive to Antelope Canyon on your own. Use I-15 N to go towards State Hwy 59 S and AZ-389 E. This’ll take you to US-89 S/E, which you can follow to AZ-98 E in Page.

Another option is to rent an RV in Vegas , which allows you to save money on transportation and accommodation. This way, you can travel at your own pace and create a Vegas road trip itinerary with all the attractions you’re interested in.

If you can’t drive or don’t want to, don’t worry. Another way to get to Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas is by booking a guided excursion. There are several Antelope Canyon tours from Vegas , but I recommend this one . It includes pickup service from your hotel, a tour of Antelope Canyon, and a stop at Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon from Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and it’s not too far from Antelope Canyon. It’s worth adding this stunning natural landmark to your itinerary, either before or after visiting Antelope Canyon .

I highly recommend dedicating at least a couple of days to visiting the Grand Canyon so you can explore its most famous viewpoints. Then, stay overnight at the Grand Canyon for a good night’s rest and leave early in the morning to see Antelope Canyon.

From the South Rim, the drive takes about 2.5 hours (~130 miles). Take AZ-64 E to US-89 N and continue to Page, then turn right onto AZ-98 E. From the North Rim, the drive is a bit shorter (2 hours and 20 minutes). Take AZ-67 N to US-89A S, then turn left onto US-89 N before turning right onto AZ-98 E.

If you’re staying in Vegas and want to visit both of these parks, you’re in luck. This excursion goes to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in one day, making it an amazing day trip from Las Vegas .

Another great option, if you’re already in Grand Canyon Village and want to visit Antelope Canyon, is this excursion . It includes a Grand Canyon air tour to Page, where you will see Horseshoe Bend from the air, followed by a Lower Antelope Canyon tour with a Navajo guide. Then, you’ll take an 18-mile rafting tour through Glen Canyon, where you’ll pass by Horseshoe Bend again, this time from the water, for a different viewpoint. Doesn’t it sound amazing?

Flagstaff to Antelope Canyon and Sedona to Antelope Canyon

Flagstaff and Sedona are popular tourist cities in Arizona that also happen to be close to Antelope Canyon .

Flagstaff is 132 miles from Antelope Canyon, so the drive takes about two hours, following US-89 W to AZ-98 E. Sedona is just a bit further away (146 miles), and takes three hours via US-89 N to AZ-98 E.

There are also Antelope Canyon tours that depart from Flagstaff or Sedona, including this one . It includes hotel pickup service, a guided tour of Antelope Canyon, and stops at Horseshoe Bend and the Painted Desert.

Antelope Canyon from Phoenix or Scottsdale

Phoenix and Scottdale are two other major cities in Arizona that are close to Antelope Canyon.

Phoenix is 276 miles south of Antelope Canyon, while Scottsdale is about the same (285 miles). Visiting Antelope Canyon from either of these cities takes about 4.5 hours by car. Follow I-17 N to US-180 W/N, then take US-89 N to AZ-98 E.

As for tours of Antelope Canyon from Phoenix or Scottsdale , I recommend this one . You can choose your departure point, and the excursion includes hotel pickup, lunch, and visits to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon from Horseshoe Bend

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are close neighbors, so it makes sense to see both attractions in one trip. After all, they’re just 10 minutes apart!

You can visit Horseshoe Bend on your own and book a separate Antelope Canyon tour. However, it’s easier to book a combo tour like this one , especially if you don’t have much time.

Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon

Lake Powell is right next to Page, Arizona, so getting to Antelope Canyon from here is easy. The drive from Lake Powell takes about 15 minutes via US-89 S.

Also, given Lake Powell’s proximity to Page, and its undeniable natural beauty, consider taking a tour of the area. This boat cruise is a relaxing way to explore the lake and see the marvelous Glen Canyon Dam. Another option is this day tour , which includes a scenic cruise along Lake Powell, followed by a guided hike to the Rainbow Bridge, a stunning natural monument.

Antelope Canyon from Monument Valley

Did you know that you can visit Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon in the same trip? Monument Valley is about 120 miles east of Antelope Canyon, and the drive takes less than two hours. Take US-163 S to US-160 W and follow that for 40 miles until you get to AZ-98 W, which will take you to Antelope Canyon.

If you want to visit both places in the same day, I recommend going to Antelope Canyon around midday and arriving at Monument Valley in time for sunset.

Also, while both attractions are in Arizona, they observe different time zones during the summer, so keep that in mind when booking your Antelope Canyon tour .

Antelope Canyon from Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is one of the most underrated places we’ve seen in the U.S., and it’s 150 miles northwest of Antelope Canyon. The drive takes less than three hours, so you could combine both in a single trip. However, I recommend dedicating a full day to Bryce Canyon, if possible.

To get to Antelope Canyon from Bryce Canyon, take UT-12 W to US-89 S, and follow that to Page.

Antelope Canyon from Zion National Park

Zion National Park is 120 miles west of Antelope Canyon, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours. Take UT-9 E to US-89 S and follow it to AZ-98 E.

You need at least a day to visit Zion National Park , so stop there before or after touring Antelope Canyon . If you have limited time or don’t want to drive, this multi-day tour is a great alternative. It departs from Las Vegas and goes to Antelope Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Monument Valley.

With both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the area, there are plenty of places to stay in Page, Arizona . From campsites to comfortable hotels, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a suitable accommodation, but I recommend booking in advance.

As for camping near Antelope Canyon, Arizona , I suggest staying at the Page Lake Powell Antelope Canyon Campground . It accommodates tents and RVs, and it even offers a covered wagon “glamping” experience.

For a more traditional accommodation, check out one of these hotels by Antelope Canyon :

• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell : Located by the airport near Antelope Canyon , this cozy hotel has an on-site restaurant, a sun terrace, and a seasonal outdoor pool.
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson : Just outside downtown Page, this accommodation offers quality at an affordable price. Its highlights include free parking, a gym, a communal lounge, and a hot tub, making it one of the best places to stay near Antelope Canyon .

Our experience: Is Antelope Canyon worth it?

We’ve visited Antelope Canyon several times. We have toured Upper Antelope Canyon once, Lower Antelope Canyon twice, and the last time we visited Antelope Canyon X too.

Each section has something unique to offer, so you’ll enjoy your visit no matter which part you go to. As for me, my favorite was Upper Antelope Canyon, especially when they did guided photography tours. However, they don’t do these anymore, so it’s more difficult to take pictures now.

Upper Antelope Canyon is definitely the most popular section, so it’s very crowded. The tour feels a bit rushed since the guides hurry you along in an effort to accommodate all the visitors. That said, I loved seeing the gorgeous light beams and falling sands.

Since we last visited, the Upper Antelope Canyon hike has changed and is now a one-way path. This seems like it’s much more convenient for thinning out the crowds, but there are now metal walkways you need to go across, so I don’t think it’s as accessible as before.

Lower Antelope Canyon is just as beautiful, even though you can’t see the rays of light here. The tour of Lower Antelope Canyon is less rushed, and there are fewer crowds, so you can take your time to admire the sandstone walls and natural formations. However, this tour requires more walking, as well as climbing up and down stairs and ladders.

Our review of Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation, Arizona

As for the Antelope Canyon X tour , it was quite a different experience since we went deeper into the canyon. There were way fewer people, so the place felt more intimate and immersive. We got to see the striking “X” shape of the rock ceiling and appreciate the fiery red-orange color of the walls. This tour is also cheaper, so it was a great deal all around.

I think Antelope Canyon is a must-see , and it’s worth seeing both the Upper and Lower sections if you can. Canyon X is also worth visiting, but only if it fits your budget after visiting the other two sections of the canyon .

Tips for visiting Antelope Canyon and Navajo Nation in Arizona

Visiting Antelope Canyon is a one-of-a-kind experience, but you should come prepared so you can thoroughly enjoy it! Here are some tips to make the most of your trip:

• Decide if you want to visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, or Canyon X .
• For the most spectacular views and photographs, visit Antelope Canyon in the summer. The best time of day to visit Antelope Canyon is between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance since spots usually fill up quickly.
• Bring your camera so you can capture the stunning Antelope Canyon light beams and colors.
• Don’t forget to wear sturdy walking shoes and comfortable, lightweight layers .
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen .
• Remember that you can’t bring tripods, selfie sticks, GoPros, drones, or live-action cameras .
• Bring only what you can put in your pocket or wear around your neck since backpacks and bags are not permitted .
• Pets are not allowed in Antelope Canyon.
• Be aware that no section of the Antelope Canyon is wheelchair-accessible .
• You can’t bring strollers into Antelope Canyon , so babies or toddlers must be in a carrying pack or sling.
• Take advantage of nearby attractions like Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell .

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have an unforgettable time exploring this beautiful slot canyon.

Antelope Canyon map

Keep this map of Antelope Canyon handy while you plan your trip. It shows the locations for Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Canyon X, and the attractions and hotels I mentioned in this guide.

FAQs – Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Finally, here are some common questions about Antelope Canyon tours , tickets, and hours. If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to leave me a comment below!

Where is Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona.

When is Antelope Canyon open?

Antelope Canyon is open year-round, although it may close during inclement weather.

When is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon?

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is between the end of March and the beginning of October.

What is the best month to visit Antelope Canyon?

May and September are the best months to visit Antelope Canyon .

When is the best time to see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon?

If you want to tour Upper Antelope Canyon and see the light beams, visit between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Which is better: Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

It depends on what you want to see. Upper Antelope Canyon is more expensive, but it’s where you can see the Antelope Canyon light beams .

No, you can’t visit Antelope Canyon without a tour. Since it’s on Navajo Nation land, you must book a guided tour of Antelope Canyon .

How much is the entrance fee to Antelope Canyon?

The price of an Antelope Canyon ticket depends on which part of the slot canyon you’re visiting:

• Upper Antelope Canyon tours start at $125
• Lower Antelope Canyon tours start at $84
• Antelope Canyon X tours start at $65

How many days do you need in Antelope Canyon?

You only need one day for an Antelope Canyon trip . Plan to spend a couple of hours here.

Are there free alternatives to Antelope Canyon?

Visiting Antelope Canyon is worth it , but if you’re looking for a low-cost alternative, check out the different slot canyons at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, such as Zebra Canyon, Peek-A-Boo Canyon, or Spooky Canyon. They are 3 hours from Page by car, and you’ll need a vehicle with 4WD.

How long is the Antelope Canyon tour?

Each Antelope Canyon tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

How far apart are Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon is about nine miles from Horseshoe Bend, less than a 15-minute drive away.

Where is the closest city to Antelope Canyon?

The closest city to Antelope Canyon is Page, Arizona. Flagstaff, Arizona, is the closest big city to Antelope Canyon.

Where is the closest airport to Antelope Canyon?

The closest airport to Antelope Canyon is the Page Municipal Airport, but the closest major airport with international flights is the Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas.

Is Antelope Canyon a lot of walking?

Antelope Canyon involves about a mile of walking, so it’s not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Is Antelope Canyon worth it?

Antelope Canyon is worth a visit, especially if you want to capture unique photographs.

Do you have to be fit to visit Antelope Canyon?

Yes, both Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon require walking on uneven terrain and climbing up and down metal staircases, so you must be in good shape.

Do you need to book a tour to Antelope Canyon in advance?

Yes, you must book your Antelope Canyon Navajo tour in advance. I recommend reserving your spot a couple of weeks in advance since spots fill up quickly.

What should you bring for an Antelope Canyon tour?

Make sure you wear sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothing. You’ll also want a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring water and your camera!

How was Antelope Canyon formed?

Antelope Canyon was formed over thousands of years as water and wind wore down the rocks.

Who discovered Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon was discovered by a Navajo girl named Sue Tsosie in 1931. However, there is a Navajo tradition that mentions the canyon back in the 1860s.

Can pregnant people visit Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon tours aren’t recommended for people who are pregnant.

Can people with physical disabilities visit Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon requires walking on sandy surfaces and metal staircases and walkways, so it’s not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Can you bring a stroller to Antelope Canyon?

No, you can’t bring a stroller through Antelope Canyon, but you can wear a baby sling or carrier.

Can you visit Antelope Canyon at night?

No. The last Antelope Canyon tour is at around 4:15 p.m.

That wraps up our guide to Antelope Canyon, Arizona . I hope you feel better prepared to plan your trip, or you’re inspired to share this article with your travel companions.

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d also love to hear about your experience touring Antelope Canyon .

Stay safe, and have a great trip!

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Ascen Aynat

66 replies on “ How to Visit Antelope Canyon – Best Times & Tours ”

Hello and thank you so much for the article! Hubby and I are going on a two week trip out west next month. I was planning to do South Rim and Horseshoe bend on the same day and Antelope the next morning then driving to monument valley for the night. First question: Can I do lower canyon without a guide? I would like to do both but don’t want to pay for two tours. Do you think it’s worth it to pay for 2 if necessary? Second question: Would I be better off adding Horseshoe Bend to the Antelope canyon day?

Thanks for your help! I’m so excited! Tara

You need a guide for both tours. For me it was worth paying them, but I think that is a personal question. And yes, you can do Horseshoe Bend in the same day.

Wow! One of the most comprehensive, educating and useful guides. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to create this wonderful guide. Moving to read your other articles.

Hi guys, thank you for an incredibile amount of practical information! I have two additional questions:

1. While visiting the area, I wanted to see Horseshoe Bend, as well. But it seems that Goosenecks State Park may be a better idea? Almost as deep as Horseshoe, maybe less colorful, but there’re two bends instead of one and it’s much less crowded. What do you think? 2. People say that Canyon X is better to go than Lower Canyon if you don’t like crowds. The views are similar, but it’s not so popular and I would avoid crowds. But according to my research it’s pretty small and you only need few minutes to go through. I’m confused… What would you pick? Lower Canyon or X?

Thanks for your message!

To be honest, I’ve never been to Goosenecks State Park or Canyon X, so my opinion is based just on what I saw online.

Both places look quieter than Horseshoe/Antelope. Some friends have been shooting Canyon X and they really enjoyed it since they had the canyon all for themselves with no crowds and no rush. Antelope Canyon can be stressful for some people and photographers, but to me it was worth it and I think that you have to visit it at least once in a lifetime.

That said, I recommend to do your research and check which can best suit your needs, the Southwest is full of river bends and slot canyons, so there are even more options 😉

Have a nice trip! Dan

Thank you so much for all the detailed information! We are planning to visit Antelope Canyon in late April from Vegas. Never been to Grand or antelope canyons before. My kids are 9 and 11 years old. Would you recommend two separate day trips, one to west rim Grand Canyon and another one to antelope canyon? Or the overnight tour to both? From what I read, the day trips to each one provides more stops and time to be in each location more time and visit more thorough. Thank you!

If you are staying in Las Vegas I think it’s best to take two separate one-day tours. For Antelope Canyon, this is the best tour from Las Vegas .

Regarding the tour to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, there are hundreds of kinds. The West Rim is the most touristic but I prefer the South Rim. However, if you are traveling with kids, maybe is easier to visit the West Rim that is just a couple of hours from Las Vegas and you will have more time to explore. This is my favorite tour to West Rim from LV.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi This guide is incredible thank you so much. We were planning on travelling early April to Sedona. Leave Sedona early am to drive 2.5 hrs to Antelope canyon and pick between upper or lower and then grab lunch and do Horseshoe bend.

We want to fit monument valley in somehow? Would this work. The other thing is we have a 14 month old with us he can walk but not extensive amounts and we will have his stroller with us so we could use this but cab we get down to antelope canyon easily? And travelling with a little one and doing all three in one day might be much ? Maybe do a night stay and split it?

Thanks a lot for all your help xx

I would split Antelope + Horseshoe Bend in one day and Monument Valley on another day for sure, even if you are not traveling with an infant. However, I think that visiting the Antelope Canyon may not be a safe/good activity to do with a baby.

In Upper Antelope Canyon, you will need to carry your baby since strollers and backpack carriers are not allowed. You will need also to provide a toddler’s car seat since you will be taken to the canyon in a jeep through a bumpy dirt road.

If you choose Lower Antelope Canyon, you will descend into the canyon via a staircase that passes through a narrow topside opening (some simple bouldering is required) Backpack carriers are allowed for infants, but the tour company will assume no responsibility for injuries your child might sustain by bumping his head on a low-hanging rock ledge…

I would suggest watching this full walkthrough video to make a decision.

Thank you for the informative and in depth review! Reading through the comments were quite helpful too.

Question1: We have a 2.5 years old and planning to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon this Spring. I understand backpack carriers like the hiking ones are not approved but is a soft/front baby carrier allowed? I read somewhere that it was allowed but the article was 7 years ago.

Question 2: We are planning in on flying into Vegas. Next morning drive to Zion, then Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. What are your recommendations? Shall we stay overnight in Page or elsewhere.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for your message and your nice words, I’m glad to see you found our info useful!

As regards your first question, I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that. My advice is to call the Upper Antelope Canyon tour company and ask them, they’re very helpful and will provide a quick answer to your question 😉

Related to your second question, it depends on the time you want to spend in Zion. It’s perfectly doable doing Zion, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend in a day, but if you’re driving the same morning from Vegas, it can be a pretty exhausting day (especially with a 2.5 years old).

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

WOW, I am reading up all your pages on the West Coast Tour – so give me some pointer Dan/Ascen on my planned trip.

Firstly, its in February – so plan to Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon VIsitor Center on 15th Feb and drive onto Horse Shoe Bend by sunset and stay overnight at Page. On 16th after relaxing at Glen Canyon Dam and have booked the Upper Antelope Canyon tour for 11:30 am slot, plan to do Bryce and drive back to Las Vegas by night. I have skipped Monument Valley as I do not have much more time as on 18th drive to LA to catch a flight home.

Any suggestions? Its intense but is it doable?

Your itinerary is doable but, please, bear in mind that you’ll be moving and driving during most of the 3 days, with almost no time for having a break or sleep.

I think leaving aside Monument Valley is a good option considering your tight schedule, and I’ll probably consider leaving off Bryce Canyon as well so you can have more room to see places like the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon.

Hope you have a memorable trip!

Such detailing in every aspect we will think of. This definitely helps and is a precursor for my planning. Thanks much.

Thank you Ramya, I hope you enjoy this wonderful canyon.

excellent information god bless you for writing such a detailed info, i was totally confused between lower and upper canyon, now i got full clarity.You suggested few companies in an order for the tours so is that order by the way their reviews are? can you suggest one good one for upper canyon, i am going next week on a weekday.

Hi Saketh, I usually recommend specific companies but in Antelope Canyon all are the same thing. Actually, all the companies follow the same rules, have the same price, spend the same time at the canyon and allow the same things. The only difference is at what time you want to take the tour. I did the tour with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tour but you can choose whatever you want. All are the same 🙂

I hope you love it. We cannot wait for coming back.

Hello! Love your informative article! I have the following trip schedule in mind: Nov 30 Drive from Las Vegas To Bryce Canyon taking 4 hours. Tour Bryce Canyon for the rest of the day Dec 1 Bryce Canyon Hiking, Drive to Horseshoe for the sunset, Drive to Antelope Canyon Lodging Place Dec 2 Tour Antelope Canyon for the day, Drive to Monument Valley and stay at Monument Valley Dec 3 Catch the sunset and tour Monument Valley? and Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim after the sunset.

Is it worth to just spend one day at Monument Valley? Do you have any suggestions?

We want to do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Should we do both in one day? If we do it in one day, would we be not getting the full impact of each Upper and Lower Antelope canyon? Should we do one for each day separately? Thank you!

I like your itinerary.

One day is enough for Monument Valley. Regarding doing in a same day Upper and Lower Antelope canyon is what we did, and I recommend. I wouldn’t take the tours on different days.

Hello, Could you give me your advice?

We are 2 pax and we only have 1 day – October 24th – to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. We will be sleeping in Page on the 23rd and moving to the south rim at the end of the day on the 24th.

Do you think is feasible to do both Upper and Lower Antelope + Horseshoe? If not, what do you think is more interesting in October and at what times?

Yes, you can. That is what we did but you will arrive at Grand Canyon Village at night.

Hello again, I read the info on your webpage – very good, by the way! – but I still have one question:

I read on your website that Horseshoe is more impressive during sunset and Antelope at midday, right? Since we are visiting both on the same day (october 24th), I was thinking on going to Horseshoe at sunrise, in order to catch Antelope by noon – what do you think?

THU 24 Oct First Light 6:56 am

Sunrise 7:22 am

Sunset 6:19 pm

Last Light 6:45 pm

Horseshoe is always open? Could we visit the Horseshoe at 7:00am or is it closed?

You also speak on your website about Monument Valley – but it’s impossible to do everything on the same day, right?

Thank you in advance!!! Best, Raquel

Horseshoe bend is more impressive at sunset. During the sunrise, the light is very different.

It is always open, so you can go at any time. Our plan was sunrise at Monument Valley, Upper Antelope Canyon by noon, Lower Antelope Canyon by 4, and Horseshoe bend at Sunset. It was intense but probably one of the best days in our US West Coast trip!

Hope you also have a great time!

Hi Dan, Thank you for the tip. Yes, I imagine but the problem is that we are sleeping that same night at South Rim (around 2h30 hours by car, right?)

So, given these circumstances, what do you think is feasible and what not to be missed?

If you are sleeping that night at the South rim I would probably leave out Monument Valley and focus on the Antelope Canyon tours and Horseshoe bend. Even though it’s technically doable I wouldn´t recommend to pack so many things on a day. If you have extra time, around the Page area you also have Lake Powel which is also interesting, especially for chillin and having some rest.

I paid for the photo tour and it was completely cloudy. We couldn’t see any light beam 🙁

That is a pity, Susanne!

I hope you try again another day because it is worthy!

Hello There This is the first article of you that I read and fell in love with the article This is the best a Visitor can ask for , we a family of 4 from Texas are planning to Visit west coast for about 12 days and we have Grand canyon and Antelope on our to do list along with lake Tahoe and Yosemite Park. We plan to be here during the end of November and not sure if that the right time to visit the Canyons and Antelope Can you please guide us if we should do the Grand canyons and Antelope during this period of year ? If Yes do we need to Book the Antelope trip in Advance ? we have 1 day for grand canyons so it would be great if you can point us the major things that we need to look for Just as you know we are Nature lovers and want to explore and get the best out of our trip

What a great itinerary you have planned!

You can find some snow in Grand Canyon in November ( it is not normal but it can happen). If you have just one day I recommend you to hire a Grand Canyon Helicopter tour!

Antelope Canyon Won’t be overcrowded in November but the best time to visit is in summer, when the sunlight enters and the canyon and you can see the lights beams in Upper Antelope Canyon. Anyway you will love it.

I also recommend you to visit Monument Valley that is not far from there and completely worthy.

Let me know if you have any other question,

Thank you very much for this informative article. I am planning to see lower antelope canyon and horseshoe band from Las Vegas and after seeing them we will comeback to Vegas. What time is the best time to visit antelope canyon? Only 2PM and 4:30PM tickets are available.

I would book the one at 2PM 🙂

Enjoy that awesome wonder!

Thank you so much for this very informative article about the Antelope Canyon area. We’ll be visiting the area in early August on our road trip to Texas. It will surely help everyone as they plan to visit this magnificent area. All the best!

Thank you Cherie,

I hope you enjoy your trip!

Awesome Article. Just breathtaking. On our bucket list this summer. Have a week to tour all of the sites. Is there a tour company you would recommend?

Hi Catherine. If you are planning for this summer you are a little late. Book wherever is a spot available. Almost all the tours are already sold out!

Thanks for this article!! Very informational with beautiful pictures!

I’m planning my day-trip visit soon from Vegas. Is 1-day to visit lower antelope and horseshoe bend doable without a tour guide? Thanks!

Best, Alicia

1-day is enough but you have to hire a Navajo tour to visit Antelope Canyon. There is no other way. The entrance by your own is not allowed.

Amazing article, well constructed and includes all the information I was looking for in an easy to follow and logical format, very informative! Beautiful photos as well, they have inspired me to get to know my camera better before my trip.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

All the best

Thank you for your comment Keren, I hope you enjoy your visit to Antelope Canyon as much as we do.

It is a wonderful place, sometimes overcrowded but worthy at all!

Let us know if you have any other question.

Hello, we are planning to see from Las Vegas – Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend. What if the best way to arrange this? How many minimum days we will need (we are not going to have much days..)? Is it really necessary to stop at Grand Canyon Parashant and Grand Staircase Escalante? or just Grand Canyon National Park would be enough to see? Should we book couple of nights in Page? Do we have to buy any attraction / admission tickets in advance? We would appreciate your advice.

Hi Irina. To do that tour I would suggest min 4 days. We didn’t visit Grand Canyon Parashant and Grand Staircase Escalante in our 10-day West Coast USA road trip and if you don’t have more time, I don’t suggest you to go there.

To see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon you only need 12 hours. You can spend just a night.

Regarding the attractions, you need to book in advance the Grand Canyon helicopter tour and the Antelope Canyon tour (in this article you can see all the companies offering this tour. All the companies are the same price and quality. Just select the one you prefer in terms of schedule).

Also you will need a rental car and you are set up to enjoy your road trip.

Let us know if you have any other question! Ascen.

Hi Ascen, that is one brilliant guide to Antelope I must say & the pictures are breathtaking!! Great job!! Just wanted to know one thing, is it possible for wheelchair-bound people to explore lower and upper Antelope Canyon?

Hi Pallabi, thank you very much for your words!

I think Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair accessible. Lower Antelope Canyon is underground, so you need to descend through a very steep stair that can be dangerous even if you don’t need a wheelchair. Regarding Upper Antelope Canyon, it is narrow and very crowded always. The only option is if you talk with some of the tour operators to get a private tour (I don’t even know if this is possible) so they can close the canyon for you. The entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon is wide for a wheelchair and worth a visit! Let me know if you need more information about Antelope Canyon. I will be happy if I can help you to visit this wonder 🙂

Great content, mate!

Thanks buddy! Glad you like it 😉

Hi, Thanks for this great article! I have a question regarding the Navao fee. As far as I’ve found you have to pay in advance to book these tours, and both of them include the Navajo fee by default. How can you avoid paying the fee twice in those cases? Or do they give back the amount in cash when you show them that you have already paid this for another tour? Thanks, Kornel

Thank you very much for your comment. You are right, they include the Navajo fee by default. What we did was purchase the Upper and Lower tours and sent a request to the Lower tour to be reimbursed for the Navajo fee (send them a copy of your Upper tour so they can check you have already pay the fee).

Let me know if you have a question and enjoy Arizona 🙂

Hi! The article is amazing!! So informative and detailed. I wanted to ask whether it’s possible to enter with a kid? (1yo) I wonder cause it was written that backpacks are not allowed. We are going to travel with a baby and for couple of years we want to visit Antelope canyon. Thank u

Hi Katarina,

For Upper Antelope Canyon, three of the four companies offer options for kids:

• Antelope Slot Canyon Tours
• Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
• Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours

You have to select the age of your kid and make sure you bring a car seat for toddlers since the parents will be expected to provide them. Remember that the tour begins with a two-mile ride down an unpaved dirt road in a Jeep vehicle. Once in the canyon, you need to carry your kid in your arms. Strollers or backpack carriers are not allowed.

Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon, you can drive there on your own and kids don’t pay a fee from 0 to 7 years old. Backpack carriers are allowed but you will assume the responsibility for injuries your child might suffer. Besides, you need to be prepared for somehow difficult ladders you need to pass. Your physical condition should be good to carry your kid for different ladders during the tour.

If I were you, I think I would do my husband to carry the kid and I know he is fit enough to do it.

Let me know if you have any other question.

Thanks again for the information. Though, as u wrote, some of these companies do not provide guided tours with kids. And the rest have no free sports for booking. Checking the second day for reservation but everything is sold out. Other companies do not accept kids from 7yo. If there are some private tours? May be more expensive, but who accept kids and less crowded?

Hi Katarina, No private tours are provided at Antelope Canyon. Only 4 companies for Upper Antelope and 2 companies for Lower Antelope can operate there. You need to book months in advance to get a spot. If everything is filled out I recommend you to visit other of the many slot canyon are in the area. Please contact Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours to see if kids are allowed at the other slot canyon tours.

Thanks for this question Kornel. I had the same question and got the answer here. 🙂

I am wondering if anyone has visited Mystical Antelope Canyon

Hi Jeanne, I haven’t visited that Slot canyon yet but it looks very interesting, especially to avoid the crowds. Thanks for sharing! 😉

Hey, What is the best time to visit the Upper/ Lower Canyon? Is it allowed to take a camera and take pictures of my friends for example? or is there any rules regarding taking this?

The best time depends on what you are looking for and the tour you are taking. If you want to see the light Halos in Upper you should go during the summer. All this is explained throughout the article. If you are taking the normal tour, you can perfectly take pictures of your friends with your smartphone. Please bear in mind that the canyon is usually crowded in the normal tour, so taking pictures without people is a real challenge. Please let me know if you have any questions.

In the photographer tour, do they allow you to take pictures with people in it? I only see pictures of the rocks itself.

In the Photo tour, the guide stops at the main highlights of the Canyon and keep other visitors from entering the frame. All the photographers will be in line by your side, so it is not supposed to be a tour to take pictures with people on it. During my tour, our group was exceptionally small (just 3) and at the end of the tour, we agreed to take a picture of ourselves, but that it is not something common. Hope this helps,

Hello! Thank you the information. If pressed for time, is it advisable to visit both Upper and Lower, or one over the other? I’ve read Lower is less crowded?

Nowadays both canyons are crowded, and the decision to visit one or another depends on different factors and your personal taste. If I were not a photographer and I had to choose one of them I would probably go for lower, but, as I said, it entirely depends on your goals. Throughout the post you can see a comparison between Lower and Upper that might be helpful to make up your mind 😉

Wish you all the best during your visit,

do you know anything about Canyon X? I hear its a lot less crowded, and I was thinking of going there instead of upper and lower canyon while I am in page in may

Canyon X is another section of the same Antelope Canyon so it may be as amazing as the most crowded upper and lower.

We didn’t visit it but it should be a good option too and less crowded so go ahead and come back to let us know how was the experience.

Is it acceptable to visit Lower Antelope Canyon carrying a back pack?

How big is it? I don’t think it is a problem if it is small.

Wow! Congratulations to these pictures, they’re breathtaking! We’ve just passed the canyon and even though we would have loved to take pictures like these, after a little research we decided to skip it. Really sad that such a beautiful place is so overrun. And charging 151$ for someone bringing a camera and then chasing him/her through this place anyway is rather exorbitant in our opinion. But obviously, everyone needs to decide for themselves!

For everyone who’s more interested in the experience than the photo motif, we can very much recommend Peek-a-boo and Spooky Canyon in Staircase Escalante National Monument. Both are very adventurous to hike through, extremely narrow in some sections and provide lovely pictures as well. And we hardly met anyone else there 😉 Thanks for your very informative article!

Thank you very much for your comment Doris. I had already pointed Spooky Canyon on my map of places that I want to visit, but I hadn’t heard about the Peek-a-boo canyon before. I understand that it is not the same trail that has the same name and starts at Bryce Canyon National Park , right?

Any other place you can share with us will be more than welcome.

Best, Ascen

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5 Reasons Antelope Canyon is Worth the Trip

Posted August 8, 2023 by Navajo Tours Team in News

Antelope Canyon, located in northern Arizona, is one of the most stunning natural wonders in the United States. This breathtaking slot canyon is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves hiking, photography, or simply exploring the beauty of the great outdoors.

But what makes Antelope Canyon so special, and why is it worth the trip? Here are five reasons:

#1 – The Unique Geology

Antelope Canyon was formed over millions of years by the forces of water and wind, which gradually eroded the sandstone walls of the canyon to create the incredible shapes and textures that we see today. The result is a truly unique geological formation that is unlike anything else in the world.

#2 – The Amazing Colors

From deep reds and oranges to soft pinks and purples, the colors of Antelope Canyon are absolutely stunning. The light filtering through the narrow canyon walls creates a spectrum of hues that seem to change with every step you take. This makes it a prime location for photographers who wish to capture the canyon’s vibrancy and beauty.

#3 – The Adventure

Antelope Canyon is not just a place to look at from afar – it’s a place to explore. Visitors will take guided tours through the canyon, walking through the narrow slots, twisting turns, and rough terrain. The adventure of navigating through these natural obstacles is a thrilling experience that adds to the overall magic of the canyon.

#4 – The Spiritual Connection

For many people, visiting Antelope Canyon is a spiritual experience. The serene beauty of the canyon, along with its unique energy and peaceful stillness, has been known to touch the hearts and souls of visitors in a profound way. It may be because the canyon has been a sacred site for Native American tribes for centuries and is believed to have healing powers.

#5 – The Memories

Finally, Antelope Canyon is worth the trip simply because of the lasting memories it will create. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family, or on a romantic getaway, visiting this nat will be an experience that you will never forget.

Antelope Canyon is a destination that offers an incredible blend of awe-inspiring nature, adventure, and spirituality. From the unique geological formations and stunning array of colors to the opportunity for exploration and connection with the natural world, this slot canyon has something for everyone. Not only does Antelope Canyon make for an unforgettable experience, but it is also a place where visitors can connect with nature in a deep and meaningful way.

If you’re looking for a uniquely breathtaking destination to add to your travel bucket list, Antelope Canyon is undoubtedly worth the trip. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, the memories you will create while exploring this natural wonder will stay with you for a lifetime. With its breathtaking beauty and captivating energy, Antelope Canyon is truly a must-visit destination that will leave you feeling renewed, invigorated, and inspired.

So, pack your bags and head to northern Arizona – Antelope Canyon is waiting for you!

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Antelope Canyon Tours: Which Is Best? (Upper, Lower, X)

Antelope Canyon is arguably the most famous and beautiful slot canyon in the United States.

Located in Arizona on Navajo tribal land, the canyon has a bunch of different sections that are split into separate tours, and visiting any of them requires a local Navajo guide.

The main Antelope Canyon tours are Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon , and X Canyon . They’re all beautiful, but which one is best?

We recently traveled through the little town of Page, Arizona, and tried all of the canyons to see which one would be our favorite.

We started with the Lower Canyon , then did Upper Canyon the next day, and finally ended with Canyon X . It’s hard to believe these are natural formations!

Each of these slot canyons are amazing, with a variety of rainbow colored walls, sunbeams, and beautifully twisting passageways.

However, there are definitely some big differences between each of the canyons, and there are also several companies offering the tours, so finding the right company can be another challenge of visiting Antelope Canyon.

In this travel guide, I’ll compare each of the Antelope Canyon tours (Upper, Lower, and X) in terms of scenery, photography, crowds, fun, access, prices, and availability. Then, I’ll explain which one we liked best overall!

Best Antelope Canyon Tours

We booked our Antelope Canyon tours with GetYourGuide and had a great experience.

The price includes your entry tickets and a Navajo local guide. Everything was communicated clearly by email, and they have a refund policy if you need to cancel in advance.

We’ve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great. Highly recommended!

Book Now: Upper / Lower Antelope Canyon / Antelope Canyon X Tour

Antelope Canyon Comparison: Upper vs Lower vs X

• scenery/photography.

Obviously, one of the main things you may be wondering about is scenery and photography. Which Antelope Canyon is the most beautiful? Which one has the nicest colors? Which one is best for photography? Of course, that’s subjective and a bit hard to answer, because they’re all exceptionally nice.

Upper Antelope Canyon is mainly known for its dramatic light beams, which can be seen in the summer months when the sun is high in the sky. During this time, beams of light shine through the narrow roof of the canyon, illuminating the dust in the air. It’s a spectacular effect that’s great for pictures, although I think it’s a little overrated since it can only be seen in the summer during the middle of the day.

Lower Antelope Canyon has a shallower ‘V’ shaped chamber, which means it lets in more light than the Upper Canyon. Because of this, it’s best seen at times when there’s less ambient light, such as in the morning hours. The Lower Canyon has wonderful colors, and it’s full of twisting passageways and interesting rock features that are great for photos.

Antelope Canyon X has both light and dark chambers, so it’s good in a variety of lighting conditions. Even if some sections are dark when you visit, others will be bright and colorful. Like the Upper and Lower Canyon, the Canyon X has great potential for photography. Since it’s a longer tour, you have more time and opportunities for photos. In fact, I took more pictures in Canyon X than I did in the other two Antelope Canyons combined!

The scenery is a toss-up in my opinion. All three of these slot canyons are very beautiful and great for photos. Upper is best if you want to see sunbeams, otherwise Lower and X are better choices.

Winner: Tie

Upper Antelope Canyon is known for its light beams

Beautiful colors at the Lower Antelope Canyon

So which Antelope Canyon is less crowded? Which one is the least touristy?

Unfortunately, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are the losers here. They’ve become victims of their own popularity, and the tourist crowds nowadays are so bad you’ll often find it hard to move around or take photos. Forget about ever retracing your steps for a picture; everyone is shuffled through quickly in a line and this is strictly enforced.

In our experience, the crowds were the worst at the Lower Antelope Canyon , because it’s a bigger chamber and they’re able to run more tours through it every day. More tours also means more people. You’ll be in the middle of a crowd at all times, with people sticking their phones in your face trying to take selfies.

The best one for escaping the crowds is Antelope Canyon X . It’s far less crowded than the Upper and Lower Canyon, and we found it much easier to take pictures without other people in them. The tours here are also a lot less strict and almost have a private vibe to them.

Winner: Antelope Canyon X

We were almost alone at Antelope Canyon X

So what about tour duration? How long are the Antelope Canyon tours?

Once again, the Upper Canyon is the big loser here. Although it’s normally advertised as a 1.5 hour tour, much of that time is spent in transit to and from the slot canyon.

In my experience, only about 30 minutes were actually spent inside the Upper Canyon , and it felt even shorter than that because you can never pause or stand still for more than a few seconds. The tour was extremely rushed, and we passed through one of the main chambers so quickly I didn’t even get to take a photo.

In contrast, the tours at the other canyons are longer and more relaxed. This is especially true at Antelope Canyon X , where we spent more than 1 hour inside the slot canyon sections. We were able to walk slowly and take lots of pictures while also chatting with the Navajo guide about some of the history of the canyon. It was a much better experience and we felt like we got more value for our money.

The results speak for themselves. I took hundreds of photos in Lower Antelope and Canyon X, while I only managed to take a handful of photos in Upper Antelope Canyon because I was so rushed and limited on time there.

Twisting passageways at Lower Antelope

So which of the canyons is the most fun to explore? I know, this is totally subjective, but it’s still important because the reason most of us are visiting Antelope Canyon is to have fun!

I have to say, my wife and I had the most fun at Lower Antelope Canyon . Our Navajo guide pointed out a bunch of different rock formations with unique shapes, including a dragon, an eagle, and a tribal chief.

The narrow twisting corners were also fun for peekaboo type photos, and although not everyone might agree, we even had fun climbing the stairs and ladders!

Winner: Lower Antelope Canyon

• Accessibility

So which Antelope Canyon is best in terms of access and safety? Which one is the least strenuous hike? Depending on the tour provider, young kids, pregnant women, and older folks are allowed in any of the canyons, although it may not always be the best idea.

Upper Antelope is probably the winner here. The entrance to the slot canyon is at ground level, so you don’t have to climb any steep stairs or ladders to reach it, and after exiting you just walk across a short slope to get back to the car. It’s very tame. There’s a bumpy 15 minute drive in the back of a pickup truck to get to the canyon entrance, but the truckbed is covered and has benches to sit on, and the drivers don’t go fast. If you can handle that, then you’re good to go.

There’s no bumpy drive like this for Lower Antelope , but getting in and out of the slot is a bit harder since it requires climbing down a steep metal staircase. You still don’t need to be very fit to do it, and pregnant women can do it fine as long as they’re slow and careful. My wife did it in her second trimester and had no issues.

Canyon X is probably the most strenuous in terms of hiking distance and elevation gain, although it still isn’t hard at all for most people. There’s a bumpy 10 or 15 minute van ride in the desert, but you’re in a van with seatbelts. Canyon X also has some walking in the heat, and unfit older folks might have a hard time walking back up the slope at the entrance of the canyon.

Winner: Upper Antelope Canyon

Don’t forget to look up!

• Availability

So which Antelope Canyon is best in terms of availability? In other words, how easy is it to get a tour on short notice and choose the time and date that you want?

Upper Antelope is the hardest canyon to get a tour, and you may have to book months in advance to get the date and time you want. There are a couple of reasons for this. Since the Upper Canyon is smaller than the Lower Canyon or X Canyon, it fills up easier and they aren’t able to run as many tours per day. It’s also very famous for the sunbeams, which have made it even more sought after by photographers.

Lower Antelope is also highly popular, but it’s a bigger canyon and they can accommodate more tours every day. We booked only one day in advance, and had no problem getting a time that worked for us, although we may have gotten lucky (your experience may vary).

In general, Antelope Canyon X is the easiest canyon to visit. You can usually book a tour at the last minute and still get a spot. Of course, that may change someday as it gets more popular, but for now I’d say it’s a really underrated gem.

So what about cost? Which Antelope Canyon tour has the best prices?

Obviously the tour prices will vary a bit depending on where and when you book them, but in general the most expensive tour is the Upper Antelope Canyon , followed by Lower Antelope and Canyon X , in that order.

Prices for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour can be as high as $150 USD per person during the summer season. In contrast, prices for the Antelope Canyon X tour can be as low as $60 USD, which is well worth it! I consider that a great bargain for what you get to see and do there.

Another picture from Antelope Canyon X

So Which Is Better? (Upper vs Lower vs X)

So which Antelope Canyon is best — Upper, Lower, or X? That’s a good question.

For us, I would have to say the winner for best value (and overall experience) was Antelope Canyon X . While it may lack a few of the features that are great for photography in the Upper and Lower canyons, it’s a longer tour, meaning you have more time to take pictures and get creative.

On top of that, Canyon X is also much less crowded with tourists compared to the others, and you don’t have to worry about being badgered and rushed through the slot, like at Upper Canyon.

Majestic colors at the Lower Canyon

Last, but not least, it’s cheaper and easier to get a tour of Antelope Canyon X without booking it months in advance, which is important if you’re going to Arizona without much notice and traveling on a budget.

I have to admit I didn’t really enjoy Upper Antelope Canyon very much compared to the others. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful slot canyon and the sunbeams were amazing, but the entire tour was so rushed I could hardly enjoy it.

The other problem with the Upper Canyon is that it’s expensive, and I actually left feeling like it was a waste of money. Lower Antelope was definitely a better experience, and it was worth the cost of entry, but it still suffers from the same crowds as the Upper Canyon.

Overall, I think the Antelope Canyon X is a fantastic tour if you’re looking for a beautiful slot canyon without the crowds, cost, and hassle of the main canyons. Enjoy it before it gets too famous!

Read More: Antelope Canyon X Review

Antelope Canyon comparison — Upper vs Lower vs X

Best Time To Visit Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, X)

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is generally from the end of March to the beginning of October.

This is especially true for the Upper Antelope Canyon , that way you can see the famous light beams. These are best seen between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, on a cloudless summer day when the sun is high in the sky.

For the Lower Canyon , the opposite is true. This canyon gets a lot more ambient light from the sun, so the best time of day to visit it is actually in the morning or late afternoon, when there’s not too much light. However, we went to Lower Canyon in the middle of the day and I have to say most parts of the canyon were still very nice even at that time, so don’t write off a midday visit completely.

For Canyon X , any time of day is good to visit. We went in the afternoon and it was great. The slots have some areas that are deep, and others that are shallow, so it can be beautiful and photogenic in a variety of lighting conditions.

For all of the slot canyons in Arizona , if you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to go is from November to March. However, the lighting and colors won’t be nearly as dramatic or beautiful at this time, so it’s not quite the same experience.

I wouldn’t even bother with the Upper Antelope Canyon at all in the winter months, because it’s just too dim at that time.

More Antelope Canyon Tours

The main Antelope Canyon tours are Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon, and X Canyon. These are the ones normally visited by tourists, and they’re arguably the most beautiful sections of Antelope Canyon.

However, there are also a bunch of other nice slot canyons in the same drainage system:

• Mountain Sheep Canyon
• Mystical Canyon
• Rattlesnake Canyon
• Secret Canyon
• Waterholes Canyon

Each of these are great slot canyons, and any of them are worth a visit if you have time, especially if you aren’t able to snag a tour for one of the main canyons. Unfortunately, just like Antelope Canyon, these slots are all on Navajo tribal land, so you can’t visit them without a guided tour.

Most people still don’t know about these slot canyons, and they haven’t been discovered by mass tourism yet. As a result, they tend to be the most quiet and underrated parts of Antelope Canyon. Check them out!

If you’re coming from Las Vegas, it’s also possible to do a full day trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend that includes pickup and drop-off from Las Vegas. This is more pricey, and it’s a long day trip, but it could be a good option if you’re in Vegas without your own transportation and still want to see Antelope Canyon.

There are also some nice Arizona slot canyons outside of the Navajo Nation. Seen here is Spooky Canyon.

More Arizona Slot Canyons

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this comparison of Antelope Canyon Upper vs Lower vs X. We really enjoyed each of these tours.

Don’t forget, Arizona also has several slot canyons that are outside of the Antelope Canyon complex, and they’re free to visit without a Navajo guide.

If you’re looking for more slot canyons in Arizona, I wrote a complete guide for that too, which you can read on my travel blog in the link below.

Read More: Best Arizona Slot Canyons

• Lower Antelope Canyon Review & Photos
• Antelope Canyon X Review, Photos, & Experience
• Best Slot Canyons In Utah
• Best Slot Canyons Near Las Vegas Nevada

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Hi David, thanks for the wonderful and comprehensive comparision between Upper, Lower and X Antelope Canyon which helped us to decide our day trip from Las Vegas. Keep up the great work!!

Have a great trip!

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Tour Antelope Canyon – What You Need to Know

• Arizona / Hiking / North America / Outdoors / Page / USA

Visiting Antelope Canyon? This is what you need to know before you visit.

More likely than not, you’ve seen photos of Antelope Canyon . Even before it blew up on Instagram, it was a popular spot amongst photographers and tourists alike. It’s now the most popular slot canyon in the world.

We’ve been to Antelope Canyon three times now. The first time we visited was back in 2011 on our first cross country road trip. The second time was by boat to see a different side of the canyon. And the most recent visit was a few weeks ago when we took Jacob’s dad.

I was honestly dreading it, because everywhere I read said the crowds had gotten out of control. Here’s what we discovered and plenty of travel tips to make your visit as pleasant as possible.

A big thank you to Max Tours for hosting our most recent trip. All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: July 16, 2024

− − Content Menu

• About Antelope Canyon and the Experience
• Upper Antelope vs Lower Antelope

Permits + Fees + How Early to Book

• Best Time of Day and Year to Visit
• Tour Options
• Photography Tips
• Dangers + Essential Tips for Your Tour
• What to Pack
• Where to Stay

Planning Checklist

About antelope canyon.

Millions of years ago the entire area was just sandy dessert. When it rained, the sand soaked up the water and compacted the sand. Eventually, the heat hardened the compressed sand to form the Navajo Sandstone.

Earthquakes caused the cracks to form, and during monsoon season, the rain picked up speed and sand as it rushed into these passageways making them deeper and smoothing the edges to create beautiful shapes. The sandstone curves and flows in every direction.

See More: 11 Breathtaking Canyons to Visit in the US

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon – Which Should You Visit?

Antelope Canyon is made up of two separate canyons: Upper and Lower. Upper Antelope or Tsé bighánílíní in Navajo means ‘the place where water runs through rocks’. Lower Antelope or Hazdistazí means ‘spiral rock arches’. You have to book trips to them separately, and while I would absolutely recommend visiting both, most likely you have limited time or limited budget. It’s hard to say which is better, but that’s why we’ve listed out which makes each more worthwhile.

Upper Antelope Canyon

• It is shaped like a chevron (upside down V). Because it’s narrower at the top, you have more chances to see the famous light beams.
• Most photographers opt to do Upper Canyon, so the photos you’ve seen and might also want to capture are most likely from here.
• It’s a shorter canyon but also wider. If mobility is an issue, you’ll have an easier time going through Upper Antelope.

Lower Antelope Canyon

• It’s shaped like a V (wider at the top and narrower at the bottom), and is known for brighter, more vibrant colors since it brings in much more light. You can still see light shafts, but it’s far and few between.
• For now, the Lower Antelope Canyon tours cost less.
• It’s slightly less trafficked, but still very much crowded.
• It’s more fun IMO because there are stairs, ladders to climb, and some moderate scrambling.

Local Tip: If you really want to avoid crowds, consider visiting Rattlesnake, Owl, or Mount Sheep Canyons, Canyon X, and Waterholes which are nearby. You may even want to add them to your visit to Antelope since you’re already there

See More: Photo Diary of Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

Antelope Canyon is protected by the Navajo Parks and Recreation and everyone is required to enter with a guide. This helps prevent vandalism and ensures that everyone is taking safety precautions. To get into the park, everyone 8 years or older must pay an $8 fee. You then have to book a tour which can range from $32 to $200 depending on the tour company and which tour you book. We’ll get into those details in the Tour section of this post.

Tours are offered year round, but peak season runs from late March through October. During these times, you should book tickets and tours as soon as you can. If you wait until you are there, unless you get extremely lucky, most likely there won’t be any tickets available. Books tickets at least a month and a half in advance during peak season, especially if you want the photographer’s tour. I just glanced at some June dates 8 months in advance and some days are already getting filled.

Local Tip: Hate planning? Join a  Max Tour from Las Vegas  where they take care of your ride and everything else you need for your experience. We went on the  2 Day Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon Tour  and really enjoyed the experience. See more about our experience below.

The Best Antelope Canyon Tours

When choosing your tour, you’ll have the option of a Sightseer’s Tour or a Photography Tour. Both tours will take you to the same place, but the Sightseer’s Tour will only last about 60 minutes whereas the Photography Tour will run about 120 minutes.

In addition to that, you can only bring a tripod on the Photography Tour and they typically require that you have a DSLR or nicer mirrorless camera. The Photography Tour costs significantly more and still runs at the same time as other standard tours, but if photography is important to you, it’s worth the extra cost.

Because the canyons are highly regulated, you have only a few options for tour companies.

Upper Antelope Canyon Tours

• Adventurous Antelope Canyon PhotoTours   (928.380.1874)
• Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours   (928.698.3384)
• Antelope Canyon Tours   (928.645.9102)
• Grand Circle Adventures  (928.645.5594)
• Tse Bighanilini Tours  (928.698.3285)

Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

• Ken’s Tours   (928.606.2168)
• Lower Antelope Canyon Tours   (928.640.1761)

Max Tour – Antelope Canyon Tour From Las Vegas

We went on the  2 Day Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon Tour  and it was a really great experience. They pick you up on the strip and you join a small group of roughly 10 people. In two days, they pack in a lot. We saw Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, multiple viewpoints at Grand Canyon, Route 66, and Hoover Dam.

When we arrived at Lower Antelope Canyon, our tour guide purchased the tickets then instructed on where to wait. From there, the local guides take over and guide you through the canyon. After the guided tour, we met back up with our Max Tour guide and he took us to the next spot. It was such a nice way not to have to worry about any of the details.

Everything is very controlled and people are ushered through the canyon and you stop at various points, yet it’s still chaotic.

When is the Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon?

The Antelope Canyon experience can depend on the time of year you visit.

If you’re a photographer, it’s all about the light, not just for the light shafts but also the glow along the walls. The light beams happen most during the summer months since they require the sun to be high in the sky. They start to appear around mid-March and typically disappear by early October. The best times are closest to the summer solstice. During the winter months, the colors in the canyon are more muted. 

The light shafts will appear typically between 10am-12pm (high noon). You can call tour guides for the best times to see the beams since they will differ based on the time of year.

On the other hand, the crowds are more extreme in the summer and it makes it difficult to take photos without people in them. Our first visit was in the heat of the summer, and our most recent one was mid-November during shoulder season. 

It was actually pleasant, since the crowds were dying down, and you also didn’t have to wait for tickets or be worried they’ll be sold out. Tresian, our guide, knew we wanted photos, so he rushed us ahead so we could get space between tours to take photos. If it’s during peak season, the tours are pretty much back-to-back.

How to Take Photos at Antelope Canyon – Photography Tips

• Be prepared for the crowds.  There will be a ton of people in the canyons, the pace of the tour will move quickly, and it’ll be over before you know it. It helps to stay next to your guide if possible.
• Know your camera settings  before you go. You’re not going to want to spend your precious time fumbling with your settings. Make sure you know what you’re doing or you bring a photographer friend. Don’t rely on the tour guides to get amazing photos for you but pay attention to all the photo spots they point out.
• Tripods   are not allowed unless you book a photography tour, but if you are doing the photography tour you should absolutely  bring one ! There isn’t much light in the canyons, so unless you pump up the ISO, it’s going to be difficult to get great handheld shots.
• Lenses to Bring.  Try to stick with only one lens since there’s a lot of floating sand. You can risk it, but sand has killed a couple of my cameras already. RIP. If you’re bringing one lens, you will want a wide-angle lens since the spaces are tight. I shot most of mine with a  35mm , but I regretted not bringing my  16-35 .
• Shoot multiple exposures  even if you don’t plan on creating HDRs. I ended up bracketing my exposures since the light wasn’t the easiest to deal with. There are both dark and bright spots, so it’s easy to lose details in the shadows or highlights. If you’re not shooting multiple exposures, a general rule of thumb for digital is to underexpose.
• Shoot RAW if possible , so that you can but if it’s becoming too slow, switch to JPEG only.
• Light Beams  generally occur between 10 AM and 12 PM (high noon) but call the tour companies to find out the best time of day for the time of year. When it comes to capturing light beams, you can only see them with particles in the air. You are no longer allowed to throw sand in the air.
• Sand Falls  can naturally occur when the wind blows sand into the canyons from above. Always be prepared and on the lookout. Guides no longer throw sand against the walls to create small sand falls.
• Be mindful  of other visitors and photographers. Don’t be the person who gets in everyone’s shot, though it’s quite difficult with the number of people in the canyons these days.
• Don’t forget to shoot up!  The shapes are beautiful up towards the sky too.
• Typically they require you to have a DSLR or mirrorless camera to be part of a photography tour. If you only have an iPhone they may move you to a regular tour. With that in mind, if you have a partner or friend, but only one camera, you can try to call the tour company to see if they will make exceptions.

Below is a blend of 2 exposures to bring back the details in the brightest parts.

Essential Tips for Visiting Antelope Canyon

• Beware of flash floods. After  the last big incident  where several hikers died, there have been a lot of rules put in place to prevent this. Usually, they will cancel tours in cases of inclement weather, but just know they can happen suddenly.
• Time Zone Differences  – It can be really confusing since the neighboring lands don’t acknowledge daylight savings time. The easiest thing to do is call the tour company you booked to make sure you know what time it starts in Navajo time and how it differs from the time where you are. We’ve missed a tour once because of a time zone difference.
• Use the bathroom before you head to your tour. There were some porter potties but they are pretty gross.
• You aren’t required but it is always a nice gesture especially if your tour guide did a great job.
• It gets dark in the canyon, especially in Upper Antelope so be sure to walk slowly and carefully.
• Watch the weather. Flash floods still can happen. Guides are extra careful about this now.

Here are a few more updates from Sarah, one of our readers who went this year. Thank you, Sarah!

• They DO NOT ALLOW backpacks, fanny packs, selfie sticks, go pro, literally anything in Upper Antelope. They are extremely strict about it, where they had one of the workers/guides walking through and letting people know to get rid of stuff unless they wanted to be disallowed on the tour. You can only take a bottle of water, phone, and camera. Workers mentioned that the rules have changed and become more strict.
• Upper will allow  clear transparent backpack  and fanny packs but that is really strict as well – it must be completely transparent. They do sell some in their gift shop/waiting area that are acceptable. The same rules apply for selfie sticks and go pros – not allowed at all.
• Horseshoe Bend area entrance is completely going through a renovation so there is no parking – a series of shuttle buses run back and forth from a parking area that is about 1 mile off, and they have workers standing out there redirecting ppl all day long. The shuttle is $5 per person (for ride to and from) and cash only. Workers let us know that soon it will be a completely redone parking area which includes fees to drive in and park.

What to Pack for Antelope Canyon

• Small Bag – Bring a small bag or carry all your personal belongings on you. You can’t bring backpacks since space is tight.
• Bring a  Buff  / Bandana to keep out sand and dust
• Layers – The canyon is much cooler, but it can still get hot.
• Water  – Since you cannot bring large bags, you can carry your reusable water bottle with one of these . You can also use a  Platypus Plus Bottle  and clip it to your belt.
• Camera Gear
• Saran Wrap – If you want to add a bit of extra protection, wrap your camera in saran wrap (especially the cracks) to keep it safe from the sand.
• Comfortable Shoes  /  Hiking Shoes
• Cash for Entrance Fee and Tips

Where to Stay Near Antelope Canyon

Page, AZ  is only 5 miles away from Antelope Canyon and has plenty of hotel and food options. During peak season, you need to book early due to limited availability.

If you stay in Page, you’ll also be at a central location to a lot of other amazing outdoor spots! If you plan your day right, you could catch the sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, shoot the light rays at Antelope Canyon, then have the afternoon to explore another park.

What’s Nearby

• Rainbow Bridge National Monument (10 min / 5 miles to Antelope Point Marina)
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area  (13 min / 6.9 miles)
• Horseshoe Bend (12 min / 7.3 miles)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (39 min / 33.6 miles)
• The Wave  (1 hr 15 min / 51.7 miles)
• Zion National Park  (1 hour 56 minutes / 110 miles)

• Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
• Download these helpful language apps .
• Find a great deal on Page hotels .
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.
• Book a tour for your visit.
• Get airport lounge access .
• Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
• Get a new backpack for your trip.
• Buy an Arizona travel guide .
• Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
• Don’t forget your in-flight essentials .

More Resources

• Top Trails of Arizona
• Arizona & the Grand Canyon
• DSLR Photography – Antelope Canyon
• Arizona State Map

Have you taken any of the Antelope Canyon tours? Which tour did you take and how was your experience?

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

SEE MORE NATIONAL PARK GUIDES

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BRYCE CANYON

CRATER LAKE

DEATH VALLEY

GRAND CANYON

GRAND TETON

GREAT BASIN

GREAT SAND DUNES

JOSHUA TREE

SEQUOIA + KINGS CANYON

WHITE SANDS

YELLOWSTONE

“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes ” – M. Proust

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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The Antelope Canyon Road Trip Guide

By: Author The Drivin' & Vibin' Team

Posted on June 8, 2021

Antelope Canyon is a popular bucket list location for many travelers. And it certainly should be on yours.

Located in northern Arizona, it’s a sacred and majestic slot canyon owned by the Navajo Nation (Diné.) By the end of this guide, you’ll know why adding Antelope Canyon to your travel list is an excellent idea. 

Let’s explore!

Where Is Antelope Canyon? 

Antelope Canyon sits just east of Page, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation. Those using Page as a basecamp for their adventures can travel to Antelope Canyon easily within 20 minutes. In addition, Antelope Canyon is only about two hours away from the Grand Canyon.

What Makes Antelope Canyon So Special?

Antelope Canyon is a sacred place for the Navajo people, and it’s also a Navajo Tribal Park. To the Navajo people, the canyon serves as a symbol of Mother Nature’s gifts and powers. Visiting is considered to be a spiritual experience. 

Antelope Canyon is the most visited slot canyon in the country due to its beauty and unique features. Millions of years of flash flooding through the sandy earth landscape created the beautiful wave-like formations in the canyon. During the spring and summer months, the sun enters the canyon so that awe-inspiring sunbeams shine down into the canyon. 

Are Guided Tours Required For Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon is within the Navajo Nation, and the Navajo tribe owns and manages it. You should know that it’s not public land. So, the only way to access Antelope Canyon is via an approved tour company. In fact, these certified tours are a guided experience, making them well worth the price. 

The tours vary in price from $50-$80 a person and include a knowledgeable tour guide. The tour fees are generally all-inclusive, but some don’t include the required $8 Navajo Park fee. Visitors can only access the canyon with a guide. Entering the canyon on your own is not permitted. 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Antelope Canyon?

Those looking for the best chance at seeing the highly sought-after sunbeams entering the canyon will want to do so in the spring and summer months. The light beams appear in late March and continue until October. They never appear before 11 am or after 1 pm.

Booking a midday tour during the spring or summer offers the best chance of catching the light beaming down into the canyon. Although, there’s never a guarantee that sunbeams will be present.

For visitors more interested in experiencing a less populated canyon, November-February is the best option. The canyon can get cold during these months, but there’s rarely snow. Those visiting in the winter will not have the opportunity to see the sunbeams but will snag great pictures with reduced crowds. 

Best Hikes Near Antelope Canyon

Making your way through the Antelope Canyon isn’t the only thing to do in the area. Experiencing the canyon might leave you inspired to see more. So if you aren’t ready for your adventure to end, check out some of these incredible nearby hikes. 

Hanging Garden Trail

Hanging Garden Trail is a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail. It is a highly trafficked trail with an elevation gain of 62 feet. The Hanging Garden Trail is easy and great for all skill levels. This year-round trail is a great option regardless of when you are traveling. Leashed dogs are permitted. 

Hikers can expect an easy well-marked trail. The turnaround point greets hikers with a lush hanging garden, a unique site amid the desert landscape.

There is also an additional side trail that is short and leads to a viewpoint many hikers enjoy.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a heavily trafficked 1.4-mile trail about five miles from Antelope Canyon. This easy hike has an elevation gain of 380 feet. There’s a bit of an elevation gain here, but the path is easy to navigate and great for all ages. Horseshoe Bend is hike-able year-round. Be sure to bring your dog with you because leashed dogs are welcome on the trail. 

A breathtaking view of the famous Horseshoe Bend awaits those who complete the hike. Hikers report few benches on the trail for those needing to rest during the trek. There is very little shade, so be sure to pack some water, especially in the summer months. 

Rainbow Bridge Trail

A hike that you can’t miss in the area is Rainbow Bridge Trail . This trail has several access points, but one of the most popular is via the boat docks. Rainbow Bridge trail is an easy 1.8-mile hike with an elevation gain of only 29 feet. Hikers of all ages and abilities will enjoy this hike. Dogs are not welcome on this trail, so make sure to plan accordingly. 

Hikers will have the privilege of viewing the well-known Rainbow Bridge. This 290-foot natural bridge is well worth the hike to see it. While the trail is easy to navigate, it can get hot in the summer months, and little shade is available during the trek. Bring plenty of water along with you to avoid heat-related illnesses. 

Best Camping Near Antelope Canyon

While Antelope Canyon is a great day trip from many nearby locations, staying local is always a great option. Camping near the canyon gives you a chance to experience everything the area has to offer. Take a look at some of our top picks for camping near Antelope Canyon. 

Wahweap RV & Campground

Wahweap RV & Campground is at Wahweap Marina, only a quarter-mile from Lake Powell. There are 139 full hook-up sites available, with most sites having the ability to accommodate rigs up to 45 feet. A limited number of sites can accommodate rigs up to 70 feet. If you don’t need quite that much room, the campground also has 36 tent-only sites and 112 self-contained sites available for tents or RVs under 25 feet. 

Campers at Wahweap RV & Campground enjoy easy lake access and an abundance of water recreation activities. In addition, Antelope Canyon is about 15 miles away. There’s a coin-operated laundry facility located within the camp store for campers who need to use them. In those hot summer months, you can cool off in the campground pool.  

Page Campground

Page Campground offers various campsites, including full hookup, water, and electric and tent-only sites. Each full hookup site includes cable TV as well. The campground offers a discounted rate for week-long stays. The campsites are ample in size and can accommodate large rigs, with plenty of room for parking. 

The campground offers WiFi throughout the property for those needing to stay connected during their stay. There are laundry facilities available as well. Children and parents will appreciate the onsite playground as well as a fitness center. The indoor pool and hot tub are sure to be a hit with many campers. Antelope Canyon is only about six miles from the campground.

Is An Antelope Canyon Road Trip Worth It? 

The Grand Canyon tends to get the most hype in Arizona, but there are many other amazing places to explore while visiting. Antelope Canyon is one of those places. And you need to experience it for yourself to understand its significance. Adding it to your list of Arizona must-sees is definitely worth it. While many incredible slot canyons exist, Antelope Canyon should be at the top of the list.

We’ll Help You Find the Best Free Camping in the USA

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As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours to enjoy.  Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

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Thank you for the info! I wasn’t familiar with this area AT ALL, but have seen pics of that smooth canyon.- looks like a great place to visit with a lot to see – making the trip from Ohio!!

According to the website https://navajonationparks.org , all Navajo Nation parks and recreations will remain closed until further notice.

Visit Antelope Canyon: A Complete Guide

• August 7, 2023

Antelope Canyon, an awe-inspiring masterpiece of nature and a sought-after tourist destination, is celebrated for its flowing, smooth sandstone walls that glisten under sun rays seeping from above. Nestled in the heart of the American Southwest, this slot canyon—deep and narrow—was carved over eons by water rushing through rock.

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for those planning a trip to visit Antelope Canyon. Our objective is to ensure you are fully prepared to enjoy and explore this amazing natural wonder in a manner that is respectful, safe, fun, and enriching.

We aim to cover everything you need to know, from the history and cultural significance, to practical details like how to get to Antelope Canyon, the best times to visit, and guided Antelope Canyon tour options. Join us as we unravel the wonders of Antelope Canyon and equip you with valuable insights and tips for visiting Antelope Canyon.

Where & What is Antelope Canyon?

Found in the northernmost part of Arizona, Antelope Canyon resides within the vast expanse of Navajo Nation (roughly the size of West Virginia). Antelope Canyon also lies at the heart of the Grand Circle, which includes other beautiful sights like Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.

Antelope Canyon is actually composed of two separate sections: Upper Antelope Canyon, known as “The Crack,” and Lower Antelope Canyon, known as “The Corkscrew.” The surreal, wave-like structures of the sandstone, created over many thousands of years by erosion, present stunning patterns of colors, lights, and shadows, attracting photographers and nature enthusiasts from all around the world. A visit to Antelope Canyon offers a unique opportunity to delve into the heart of the Earth’s natural beauty while also allowing easy access to other iconic natural wonders in the vicinity.

History, Culture, & Geology of Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon holds deep historical and cultural significance for the Navajo people, whose land encompasses the canyon. It’s not just a magnificent geological formation but also a sacred site that embodies the time-honored traditions and spiritual beliefs of the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is “Tsé bighánílíní,” which means “the place where water runs through rocks,” a testament to the canyon’s creation through erosion by flash floods over many centuries. Lower Antelope Canyon , or “Hazdistazí,” translates as “spiral rock arches,” capturing the distinctive shapes and curves sculpted into the sandstone. Antelope Canyon received its English name from the herds of Pronghorn Antelope that once roamed the area.

For the Navajo people, Antelope Canyon is a place of spiritual significance. The sweeping forms of the sandstone, the play of light and shadow throughout the day, and the hushed, isolated ambiance deep within the slots all contribute to a sense of reverence and peace. The canyon is seen as a monument to the power of natural forces and the passage of time, themes prevalent in Navajo culture.

Antelope Canyon, like other slot canyons, was formed over millions of years through a dual process of erosion. The Navajo Sandstone that forms the canyon was initially eroded by flash floods carrying debris that acted like sandpaper, cutting through the rock layers. Over time, this process carved out the deep and narrow passageways. Rainwater, especially during monsoon seasons, gushes into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways, steadily deepening and sculpting them.

The second process, called subaerial erosion, involves the natural weathering of the rock faces when exposed to wind and thermal stress. Over thousands of years, these processes combine to create the smooth, flowing shapes and ‘waves’ in the rock that the canyon is famous for.

Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon

When deciding whether to visit Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon , there are a few things you can consider.

Upper Antelope Canyon, or “The Crack,” is the most frequently visited, mainly due to its ground-level entrance requiring no climbing. The canyon walls rise 120 feet above the stream bed, making it impressively deep but not very long. As sunlight descends directly into the narrow canyon, it illuminates the twisting sandstone walls, creating light beams during certain times of the day and year.

Lower Antelope Canyon, or “The Corkscrew,” requires some navigation, including staircases and narrow passages. It’s longer, narrower, and more intricate than the upper section. The sunlight in Lower Antelope Canyon tends to be more diffused and indirect, creating a more subtle, glowing effect on the sandstone walls.

Both sections offer unique perspectives and experiences, so choosing between them often comes down to personal preference, fitness level, and photography interests. Our personal preference is Lower Antelope Canyon.

Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon depends on the experience you seek—whether you’re a passionate photographer chasing the perfect light, a nature lover wanting to avoid the crowd, or a first-time visitor hoping to witness its general splendor.

Weather and Seasons

Antelope Canyon experiences hot, dry summers and cool winters. Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures that make exploring more enjoyable. Summer (June to August) can be quite hot, with temperatures sometimes rising above 100°F . Winter (December to February) is colder and can sometimes see temperatures below freezing, especially at night.

Monsoon Season & Flash Floods

From June to September, the region undergoes its monsoon season , with the potential for thunderstorms and heavy rain. Flash floods are a risk during this time, and occasionally, the canyon may close due to these safety concerns.

Best Time for Photography

For photographers, the time of day significantly impacts the quality of images you can capture. In Upper Antelope Canyon, the most coveted moment is around midday when the sunbeams descend directly into the canyon, illuminating the rock’s swirling patterns and creating dramatic light shafts. This phenomenon typically occurs from late March to early October. Lower Antelope Canyon provides more diffused and consistent light throughout the day, which also results in stunning photographs.

Peak Tourist Season

The peak tourist season at Antelope Canyon is from late spring to early fall, coinciding with the best photographic conditions. During this time, the canyon can get quite crowded, and tours can sell out quickly. That said, Lower Antelope Canyon has only one-way traffic, and groups are limited to 15 people at a time.

How to Get to Antelope Canyon

Getting to Antelope Canyon is quite straightforward once you know the various options available. Here’s how you can make your way to this stunning location.

Page Municipal Airport (PGA): Located in Page, Arizona, this is the closest airport to Antelope Canyon but has VERY limited flight options and few (if any) rental cars.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG): Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, approximately 135 miles from Antelope Canyon.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): Located in Phoenix, Arizona, approximately 280 miles from Antelope Canyon.

Car rentals are available at all these airports. However, they can be hard to come by or extremely expensive during busy seasons. Depending on which airport you fly into, the drive is anywhere from 2–4 hours.

Tour Antelope Canyon: Choosing the Right Guides

Since Antelope Canyon lies within the Navajo Nation Reservation, independent exploration is not allowed. Visitors MUST be accompanied by an authorized guide.

Grand Canyon Adventures offers a daily guided Antelope Canyon tour that also includes a visit to Horseshoe Bend. Departing from Flagstaff, this trip allows you to see two of the most magnificent sights in the Southwest. You don’t have to worry about transportation, and you will have our professional guides with you the entire time. Our Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend tour also includes all entrance fees, lunch, drinks, and even a stop at Glen Canyon Dam to get a beautiful view of the Colorado River and Lake Powell. Be sure to book this tour well in advance, as they are all likely to sell out during the busier times of year (generally March–September).

Safety & Precautions

Antelope Canyon, while stunning, does present some natural hazards and safety concerns that visitors need to be aware of.

Flash Floods

The canyon is prone to flash floods, especially during the monsoon season from July to September. If there is any risk of flooding, tours will be canceled. Generally, we are able to re-enter the canyon within a day or two, but it is wise to plan a little extra time and flexibility during monsoon season.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate

The Arizona desert can be extremely hot and dry. We also recommend bringing at least 2 times the amount of water you think you will need. 

Desert temperatures can fluctuate greatly between day and night. Dress in layers to be prepared for hot midday sun as well as potentially cool early mornings and evenings. In the summer, light, breathable clothing is recommended to cover your skin to protect from the sun. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential.

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking on sandy and uneven surfaces. Hiking boots or sports shoes with good grip are the best options.

It is also important to note that Lower Antelope Canyon requires climbing several metal staircases, and both canyons involve walking through narrow passageways. Those with mobility issues should consider this when planning their visit. Neither the Upper nor the Lower Antelope Canyon is wheelchair accessible.

Honoring the Heritage of Antelope Canyon

As you plan your adventure to Antelope Canyon, it’s crucial to remember that this spectacular location is much more than a feast for the eyes. It’s a place of deep cultural significance to the Navajo Nation and an exquisite example of nature’s artwork. Respect for this extraordinary locale is paramount. Treat your journey as a privilege and your presence as that of a thoughtful guest. The natural and cultural heritage of Antelope Canyon calls for our utmost respect and consideration. Here are some essential practices to follow:

Responsible Tourism Practices

Avoiding littering and vandalism is not just a recommendation—it’s a responsibility. Leaving no trace should be your mantra. Preserve the enchanting beauty of the canyon for future generations by carrying out any trash you bring in. Remember that the sandstone formations are delicate and took millions of years to form, so refrain from touching the walls more than necessary and never carve or mark them.

Supporting the Local Community

Your visit to Antelope Canyon is an opportunity to contribute positively to the local Navajo community. Participating in guided tours supports local businesses and provides a source of income that helps sustain the community. Additionally, consider buying authentic local crafts or eating at local Navajo-run restaurants. Your support helps keep the culture alive and thriving.

Respecting Navajo Traditions & Beliefs

Remember, Antelope Canyon is sacred to the Navajo. Treat it as you would any religious site, with reverence and respect. Listening carefully to your Navajo guide, you’ll learn about the canyon’s significance in their culture, legends, and spiritual beliefs. Respect their stories and traditions, and remember not to interrupt or question their authenticity.

By practicing these etiquette guidelines, you can contribute to the preservation of Antelope Canyon’s natural beauty and cultural significance, ensuring it remains a cherished destination for generations to come.

Preserving Antelope Canyon for Generations to Come

Antelope Canyon stands as a testament to the timeless beauty of nature and the rich tapestry of Navajo history and culture. It is a place where the grandeur of geology intersects with human reverence and respect. A journey to this stunning slot canyon invites you to immerse yourself in an unforgettable spectacle of light, color, and form, while deepening your understanding of Navajo heritage. However, a trip to Antelope Canyon is not just about what we can witness and capture, but also about how we can contribute to preserving its majesty and respecting its sanctity. It is a canvas where past, present, and future intertwine, reminding us of our responsibility to honor nature and the cultures that revere it. So, as you prepare to navigate the beautiful labyrinth of Antelope Canyon, remember to tread softly, look deeply, and carry the awe it inspires into your daily life. It’s not just about visiting a location—it’s about experiencing and honoring a slice of our shared world that’s rich in history, culture, and natural splendor.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Quick links, area guides.

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11 Best Antelope Canyon Tours – The Only Way to See the Canyon

Best antelope canyon tours – including the best antelope canyon tour company.

Antelope Tour: Are you looking for the Best Antelope Canyon Tour?  I’ve put together this list so that you can find the best tour of Antelope Canyon for you! Taking a tour of Antelope Canyon is a bucket list item!

Table of Contents

Please note: You CANNOT visit Antelope Canyon without a tour. Everyone who visits must take a tour and use a tour guide. So the only way to see Antelope Canyon is to take a tour.

This list of the Best Tours of Antelope Canyon covers the following different types of tours: Las Vegas Antelope Canyon tour, Antelope slot canyon tour, and Lower Antelope Canyon tour.

Antelope Canyon is found in the American Southwest, on Navajo Land located east of Page, Arizona. Created through the erosion of Navajo Sandstone and flash flooding, it was dubbed by the Navajo as “the place where water runs through rocks”. 

There are two separate scenic attractions called upper and lower parts – known as Tsé bighánílíní and Hazdistazí, respectively, in Navajo culture.  They have also been dubbed by modern times as The Crack and The Corkscrew .  Taking an Antelope Valley Tour is a highlight.

Taking an Antelope Canyon tour is a popular activity for photographers, adventurers, and sight-seers. It has also become a source of livelihood for the Navajo Tribe and is a medium for them to showcase their culture that runs deep within the beauty of the canyon in all of its glory.

To have a well-planned and convenient trip, we’ve arranged a list of tour packages that would hopefully suit your taste and fancy. You can read my post on Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon to learn more about it and check out my post on Things to do in Page, Arizona for other things to do in the area.

11 Best Tours of Antelope Canyon – Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon

Las vegas: antelope canyon tour and horseshoe bend tour.

This tour visits the famous Lower Antelope Canyon or the secluded Antelope Canyon X. They offer small tours complete with a guided experience as you revel in the beauty of the scenery. On this tour, you can visit Antelope Canyon, the most visited slot canyon in the world.

Also included in the adventure is a trip to Horseshoe Bend, a viewing of the Glen Canyon Dam, all while learning the history and geology of the monuments.

The Las Vegas: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend tour boasts of the complete travel experience complete with an off-the-beaten path route that you can’t experience on larger bus tours. The tour itself provides snacks, beverages, bottled water, and a packed lunch.  

The tour starts early with a complimentary pick-up from the hotel premises and guests get to enjoy scenic views on the trip from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon. Hiking shoes are a must as the tour includes hiking and lots of walking but it would all be worth it as you will be greeted by a stunning vista-point overlooking the famed bend in the Colorado River.

The tour package already shoulders the snacks, driver and guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, fruits, lunch, live tour commentary, and the entrance to Antelope Canyon.

Sound Interesting? Check the price, availability and read reviews

FROM PHOENIX: ANTELOPE CANYON & HORSESHOE BEND DAY TRIP

If you’re in Phoenix and looking for a day trip to Antelope Canyon, then this tour is perfect for you. This tour immerses you in the rich Native American history and witness Arizona’s wonder on this day trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

While exploring and marveling at the sights, you will also learn about the rich culture from a Native American guide coupled with a stop at a Navajo Trading Post to see their crafts and history.

This trek takes you through Arizona’s orange striped canyons to the sheer cliffs and beautiful rock formations of Colorado. Perfect for budding and professional photographers to see beautiful monuments and practice their passion at the same time. 

The trip would include a hotel-pick up and drop-off for convenience, all the entry fees, a hearty continental breakfast and lunch, and unlimited bottled water.

Guests should prepare weather appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes comfortable for walking and exploring. They do not allow children under 3 years old and people with mobility impairments for safety purposes of the guests. This tour pushes through whether it rains or shines: all part of the adventure experience. 

FROM SEDONA OR FLAGSTAFF: HORSESHOE BEND AND ANTELOPE CANYON X TOUR

This tour lets you experience the serenity of Canyon X with a guided tour. It’s an all-in-one package tour that lets you visit Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Glen Canyon Dam all in one journey. The tour package includes hotel pick-up and drop off, lunch, bottled water. 

The package boasts a fully narrated tour which starts from the Red Rocks of Sedona to Flagstaff. You will then travel through Oak Creek Canyon and then through the Ponderosa Pines.

The guides on your tour will give you a beautifully detailed narrative of the ancient culture and present information about the unique genealogy on the way to Horseshoe Bend.

After lunch, you will then view the Antelope Canyon, the highlight of the tour, at the Canyon X site. To cap off the tour, you’ll walk with the Navajo through the Canon and might even hear the sounds of the flute music echo off the walls.

The package also includes hotel pick-up and drop off from Sedona or Flagstaff, lunch meals, and bottled water. They highly recommend hiking shoes for safety and comfort during the trip.

Despite all the pros, the tour only lasts for a day and it does not give you enough time to soak in the attractions and monumental sites. They also do not recommend the tour for pregnant women, people with immobility impairments, people with heart problems, and wheelchair users.

ANTELOPE & GRAND CANYON, ZION, BRYCE, & MONUMENT VALLEY

This 3-day tour explores the amazing Zion and Bryce National Parks, the Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon South Rim with the Antelope Canyon as an optional visit.

This tour exhibits 4 beautiful landmarks within the duration of the tour giving you a trip worth your buck.

You get to experience all of this on a 4×4 guided jeep tour that really gives you the whole summer-time-adventure vibe with beautiful attractions and memories to boot!

In this tour, you may be grouped with an average of 14 people. Inclusive in the package are meals, accommodation with camping equipment, admission to the monuments, and the opportunity to soak up the wonderful attractions. Hiking is definitely involved so comfortable shoes is a must. 

They, however, do not offer evening meals and charge for an optional visit to the Antelope Canyon. They also can upgrade lodging accommodations but do not shoulder the meals if so. They only prohibit children under 7 years of age and wheelchair users. 

PAGE: LAKE POWELL & HORSESHOE BEND

For a more exhilarating tour which definitely gives you a bird’s eye view of the canyon, Page offers a 30-minute aerial flight from Page Municipal Airport to tour the scenic views of Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend.

During this expedition, you get to experience the beautiful vista and panoramic views with the landscapes set upon miles and miles of shoreline, filled with beautiful blue water set within the landscape of Glen Canyon and witness the curious rock formation rising above the river with the  magnificent Horseshoe Bend.

You get to enjoy all this from up above and have amazing once-in-a lifetime photo opportunities that will definitely be one for the books.

This package accommodates small groups of 10 and they offer an optional audio guide, available in different languages, during the tour.

This tour is an amazing opportunity to see the famous landmarks from above but you’ll also miss out on the immersive experience that Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell gives. Also, Antelope Canyon is not one of the attractions in this tour but it gives an amazing experience, nonetheless.

ANTELOPE CANYON FULL-DAY TOUR FROM FLAGSTAFF OR SEDONA

In this tour, you get to explore the water-carved rock formations of Antelope Canyon on a full day tour that starts from Flagstaff or Sedona, convenient for those who come from either vantage points. 

In this tour, guests will first traverse the famous Antelope Canyon and will get to walk uneven terrain and climb through the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and marvel at its beauty. You can also see Arizona’s  stunning volcanic mountain range of the San Francisco Peaks.

Guests will then have to walk through the spectacular colored rock formations of the Painted Desert and head for the Horseshoe Bend, an iconic cliff top overlooking the Colorado River.

You will enjoy lunch with the breathtaking views of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. Perfect for an all in one trip that is definitely one for the books!

This tour package includes hotel pick-up from Sedona and Flagstaff city limits, complimentary lunch at Glen Dam, and a guide to narrate the history and geology of the natural rock formations. Guests are highly encouraged to wear travel clothes fit for walking and a warm outlet layer as the slot canyon tends to be  and tennis or hiking shoes for comfort.

ARIZONA HIGHLIGHTS – ANTELOPE CANYON AND LAKE POWELL FLIGHT WITH RIVER RAFTING

In this full-day sightseeing experience, you will experience the beauty of Arizona’s sights, canyons, and rivers from land, air, and in the water.

This all-in-one package tour boasts an aerial view over the Grand Canyon’s East Rim, traversing above the Colorado River, and pass through Lake Powell en route to Page. The American Indian guide will then take you to a tour of the Antelope Canyon followed by a leisurely motorized rafting experience along the Colorado River. 

Expect a full day adventure filled with rafting, hiking, and sight seeing – definitely a tour that packs a punch. The tour also includes a complimentary breakfast before or after the flight, and a picnic-style lunch before heading off to the rafting experience through the national monuments that were highlighted. 

Tourists are encouraged to wear the appropriate travel clothing and closed-toe shoes. The tour will have a maximum capacity of 16 people. 

ANTELOPE CANYON NAVAJO TOURS

Navajo Tours offers one-of-a-kind tours of Arizona’s Upper Antelope Canyon, which is located near Page.

Antelope Canyon is a sacred site of the Navajo People as well as a Navajo Tribal Park that can only be reached by permit. It is made up of two majestic slot canyons that lie on Navajo Nation land.

Antelope represents Mother Nature’s talents and energies, and entering is a sacred experience comparable to entering a cathedral. It is regarded as a solemn occasion worthy of appreciation.

Conclusion: Best Tour for Antelope Canyon

With all these tours in mind, it’s now easier to decide which package is suitable for our needs and each of them is definitely catered to each of our preferred sights and attractions along with the necessary safety precautions.

Just a quick tip, no tour is one-size-fits-all, we must be hands-on in our quest for the best to score the perfect tour suited for us.

Antelope Canyon in Arizona is just the perfect place for sightseeing, hiking, history-chasing, and just creating memories with your family and friends while surrounded by lush and beautiful natural rock formations carved from the red sandstone sculpted by a millennia of erosion. 

These beautiful rock formations are nature’s creations that we should see at least once in our lifetime on this planet we call our home. We can very much guarantee it is very much worth the trip and it would definitely be the highlight of your summer.

Antelope Canyon is right there, waiting to be crossed off from your bucket list. So wear a hat, butter up in sunscreen, and enjoy the view!

Nicole LaBarge

Nicole is a travel expert who has been traveling to the American Southwest since 1992. There is so much to see and do in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and California. I spend part of the year in Phoenix and travel around the area visiting all the best places and going on the best hikes. Check out my detailed destination guides, the best hiking in each state guides, and the travel gear you need for your next trip.

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How to Visit Antelope Canyon: Essential Tips & Tricks

How to visit Antelope Canyon in the north of Arizona has fast become one of the top asked questions among travelers to the USA. It is one of the most popular natural attractions in the state because this spectacular slot canyon is one of the most photogenic and breathtaking spots in the USA.

The sandstone rocks of the canyon form unusual patterns and shapes and are perfect for exploring and for photography. This is sacred land though, and when you visit Antelope Canyon, you are visiting the land of the Navajo Tribe. It is important to understand and respect the local history and traditions that surround this otherworldly place.

With things getting ever busier, it’s also important to know the best way to visit Antelope Canyon, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide on traveling to this beautiful destination in Arizona. 

Don’t leave home without:  DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Arizona and the Grand Canyon

Where is Antelope Canyon located?

Table of Contents

First things first, Antelope Canyon is found within the Navajo Tribal Park, in the deserts of the southwest USA. It’s close to the state border with Utah, however, this land belongs to the Navajo Nation, and covers a large area within the surrounding states.

This is a rather remote part of the country, and the nearest city is Page, Arizona, which has a population of just 7000 people, in Coconino County. 

How did Antelope Canyon form?

Antelope Canyon is the product of intense flash flooding over many thousands of years, and the exceptional shapes and patterns of the sandstone rocks have quite literally been carved out by the impressive power of the water. 

In the desert-like landscapes of Arizona, this is not an unusual formation, because it’s flooding from plateaus that led to the creation of unique natural features such as the Grand Canyon, and other famous sights in the region too.

Over many thousands, and thousands of years, water forcing its way through the sandstone created the unique rock formations you find today.

The Navajo name for Antelope Canyon translates literally into English as ‘The place where water runs through rock’, and for the Navajo Nation, this has always been a place of importance, so much so that it was only first opened up to tourism in the 1990s. 

How to Get to Antelope Canyon

Being fairly remote, the best way to visit Antelope Canyon is either as part of a wider road trip covering the southwest states of the USA or even as part of an organized tour, as public transport here is difficult to come by.

The nearest large cities to visit Antelope Canyon from, are Las Vegas and Phoenix. Both are at least a five-hour drive away. Both cities also have busy international airports with connections to Europe and further afield, and more connections domestically with the United States of America. You can rent a car in either city, to make the drive to Antelope Canyon.

If you are self-driving, then rather than just making the trip to Antelope Canyon, if you have the time it’s worth putting together a full-on itinerary for the region, because some of the country’s best natural attractions are found nearby.

On your way to visit Antelope Canyon, you can also call in at the mind-blowingly vast Grand Canyon , the spectacular Horseshoe Bend , and Arizona’s national forests too.

You can also stop off at iconic cities such as Las Vegas , or even head further west to the California coastline . 

No matter how you shake it, you’re going to find yourself in Page, Arizona if you want to visit Antelope Canyon. Depending on your goals for the site, it is recommended to plan at least one night staying in Page, Arizona. Especially if you want to combine your visit with a stop at the equally famous Horseshoe Bend . 

For a comfortable option, we recommend staying at the Best Western Plus Lake Powell , located right in the heart of Page Arizona. The hotel offers a huge buffet breakfast, nice pool, spacious rooms and is conveniently located for easy access to both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. 

We spent one night in Page. Our itinerary had us arriving in the evening, meaning we slept and then woke up in Page ready to take on both sites.

How to Visit Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is actually split into two distinct sections, and you can visit one or the other, or if you have time, you can visit both. Within the slot canyon system, you have the Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon, and to visit either, you will need to be in the company of a Navajo guide.

A common misconception is that you can visit either of these canyons independently. You cannot. With the canyons being located on tribal lands and holding sacred value to the Navajo people, attempting a visit outside of an organized tour will result in being arrested and fined. 

I strongly encourage that you do your research ahead of time so that you can choose a tour that not only fits your budget but also your interests for your visit. This will ensure that you have the best experience. Remember, not all tours are created equal, nor provide the same opportunities for viewing the canyons or taking photos. 

Tours of Antelope Canyon

Because you need a local Navajo guide with you to visit Antelope Canyon, you do essentially need to join a tour to see this natural attraction.

You pay an entrance fee for the canyon, and also a fee for the guide, and while it’s advisable to book these guides in, or to book onto a guided tour before you arrive, you can also show up and hope there is a free slot available on the day.

If you are interested in photography, then it’s also possible to join a guided night time photography tour, as well as dedicated day time photography tours. Something to note – in 2020 the Navajo nation will be discontinuing daytime photography tours in all of the canyons. 

While they are much more expensive, and spaces fill up quicker than any standard tour will, these are perfect for photographers who want time and space to work in the canyon. You’ll avoid the worst of the crowds and be able to capture the swirling rock formations in your own time.

Our Top Recommended Tours:

• Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour
• Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
• Antelope Canyon Day Trip
• Unbelievable Antelope Canyon Tour

Should I Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

When planning your visit you will be tasked with deciding which of the two canyons to book your tour for. This will depend entirely on the experience that you are after. For ease of information and to assist you in choosing the best way to visit Antelope Canyon, we have broken down the main differences between the two areas below. 

Visiting Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular of the two slot canyons to visit, and so it’s generally the busiest. Also known as ‘The Crack’, Upper Antelope Canyon is busy because it’s more accessible than the lower areas. 

To get to the upper area, you are driven along a dirt road, and then you hike into the entrance of the slot canyon itself. This is where you are most likely to see the beautiful light beams crashing through the gaps in the rock if you are here in the summer months too.

The path in and out of Upper Antelope Canyon is used by people going in both directions, which means that unfortunately, in peak season, it can get congested fairly quickly at midday!

• Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket
• Exclusive Upper Antelope, Horseshoe bend tour from Las Vegas
• Day Trip to Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Zion National Park

Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon 

Lower Antelope Canyon is also known as ‘The Corkscrew’, and in general, this canyon is less busy than the upper. The main reason for this is that Lower Antelope Canyon is set below ground level, which entails visitors climbing down long metal ladders to actually get to the canyon floor. 

Once you are down there though, the canyon itself is much wider and longer than Upper Antelope Canyon, and you’ll find there’s much more room, and you can actually appreciate the attraction for what it is.

Because it’s below ground though, the canyon doesn’t experience the light beam phenomenon on the same levels as the upper levels, which for many, is a reason to brave the crowds of Upper Antelope Canyon.

Tours to the lower levels won’t book up as quickly, and can often be cheaper than a tour to the upper level too, given the lower demand. 

• Lower Antelope Canyon Ticket
• Lower Antelope Canyon Tour Ticket
• Lower Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour

What is the Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon?

It’s important that you pick the best time to visit Antelope Canyon because conditions here vary throughout the year.

In peak season, the canyon becomes busy with tourists, and you might need to book tours and guides well in advance to avoid disappointment. With an increasing presence on Instagram, this situation is only going to get worse in the coming years.

April to September is peak season, when it’s summer and light conditions are perfect for exploring the canyon. The canyons are known for their intense light beam displays when sunlight literally bursts through the caverns to illuminate the rocks.

This only really occurs in summer, and especially so in June, July and August. The best time of day for the light beams is from 11 am to 2 pm. 

Summer is also the monsoon season in Arizona though, and between June and September, you can expect frequent thunderstorms, which can potentially cause a visit to Antelope Canyon to be called off if there is a danger of flash floods.

Outside of the summer high season, winter is when you are best visiting if you want to avoid the crowds. You might not get the mesmerizing light shows within the rock formations, but you’ll appreciate a quieter side of Antelope Canyon, while there’s no danger of flash floods because there’s no rain. 

We visited Antelope Canyon in mid-March, during the week of Spring Break, and it was crazy busy. As more and more people are traveling, I think most popular sights will find it increasingly harder to find ‘off peak’ seasons. 

Dangers of a Visit to Antelope Canyon

While this might be one of the most spectacular places in the country, there are also a few dangers to be aware of when you visit Antelope Canyon. In the past, the canyon has claimed several lives, both tourists and guides, and it’s important to travel safely when you are exploring.

This is one reason why you must take a Navajo guide with you in the first place, to ensure that you follow safety procedures and to ensure that all trips are as safe as possible.

The biggest danger in the canyons comes after rainfall because this is prime territory for flash flooding. The canyons themselves are the product of flash flooding, so floods here are a very real threat.

While the area will be closed during rainstorms for safety, not everything can always be predicted, so bear this in mind when you are visiting. 

There are escape exits if the worst does happen, and metal staircases are installed to facilitate a speedy emergency exit from the slot canyons.

If your guide cancels your tour, then respect their decision, because they know the conditions and the weather systems better than any tourist could. 

You also need to ensure that you stick to the designated areas, not only for the preservation of the canyon itself but because the canyon and the rock formations can be a maze for the uninitiated, and there is a lot of potential for falls if you start venturing off the paths. 

More on USA Travel:

• Adventurous Things to do in Las Vegas for Couples
• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon: The Best Tour Options
• Is Horseshoe Bend in Arizona Worth Visiting?
• Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in Los Angeles Itinerary
• Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in San Diego Itinerary
• Epic Miami to Key West Road Trip
• 18 Things to do in Outer Banks, NC
• 4 Perfect Days and Our Favorite Things to do in Asheville, North Carolina
• Southwest Virginia Road Trip – Top Things to Do in Virginia
• 13 Best Cities to Visit in the USA

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Is Antelope Canyon worth it? Make The Most Out Of Your Trip!

Your eyes widen as another colorful beam of light blazes across smooth, swirling canyon walls glowing like embers. You pivot quickly, angling to capture the perfect shot before the elusive desert sun shifts position yet again. Crowds jostle relentlessly as your Navajo guide calls the end of your brief hour-long tour. How can mere moments inside one of the most dazzling natural wonders possibly be enough?

As your photos trend across social media feeds, raking in envy-inducing numbers, you can’t help but wonder…is visiting iconic Antelope Canyon worth all the headaches involved?

From securing limited tour passes months in advance to navigating hordes of camera-wielding visitors in scant minutes, does this famous northern Arizona slot canyon deliver imaginable splendor to offset the chaos?

Table of Contents

Where Exactly is Antelope Canyon Located?

As one of the American Southwest’s most unique and photographed slot canyons, you may assume Antelope Canyon with its dreamy desert beam light portraits is located right in the heart of Arizona’s can’t-miss national parks.

However, this narrow yet iconic canyon is situated directly on Navajo Nation land just outside Page, Arizona bordering Glen Canyon and Lake Powell about 120 miles northwest from the Grand Canyon.

Here’s the fast facts on precisely where to find this stunning natural wonder:

Antelope Canyon Location Information Location: Page, Arizona on Navajo Reservation Land Distance from Major Sites:

• 2 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim Village.
• 1.5 from Horseshoe Bend Overlook.
• 15 Minutes from Lake Powell. Tour Access Point: Antelope Canyon Road, AZ 98001 Easiest Airport Access: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

To access this gorgeously contoured slot canyon, you’ll drive along largely empty roads passing Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and various isolated Native American settlements. However, once turning down a long dusty dirt road with no markings, you’ll quickly realize visiting Antelope Canyon offers a uniquely remote, off-the-beaten-path experience despite its Instagram fame.

With cell service unreliable and roads unpaved, embarking on a guided journey into the canyon means temporarily leaving behind modern connectivity. But the jaw-dropping visions that await inside its smoothly flowing walls make this short tech detox well worth it!

Some key notes on reaching the famous canyon’s pathway:

• Guided tours only depart from and return to an unmarked parking area along a graded dirt road.
• Rental cars can access the road leading to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon areas when dry.
• Private vehicles otherwise cannot enter tribal land without a Navajo guide.
• Tour 4×4 trucks may be required during monsoon season for transportation from Page.

Ready to truly get off the grid to discover the luminous beauty within Antelope Canyon’s remote wilderness locale for yourself? Be sure to secure a reservation with one of the Navajo-run tour companies operating in Page well beforehand.

What Makes This Iconic Slot Canyon So World Renowned?

Beyond just its remote location, what exactly has catapulted Antelope Canyon into being one of the American Southwest’s most photographed and coveted bucket list destinations? Two words: beam light.

The interplay between the canyon’s smooth, undulating sandstone surfaces and rays of natural sunlight filtering down create truly magical lighting effects that evolve by the minute. As the beams slide across the contorted, wave-like walls, they form shimmering reflections and vibrant bands of color that envelop you fully in orange, purple, and red hues. The effect both calms and thrills – you’re immersed in nature’s art show, with no crowds or manmade structures in sight.

Between the canyon’s uniquely gorgeous geology and the enchanting light shows produced, it’s these features that distinguish Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon as a precious natural phenomenon:

Signature Characteristics

• Strikingly smooth, flowing canyon walls formed by flash floods.
• Iconic beam light shafts radiating down that shift with time/seasons.
• Rich visual texture from undulating Navajo sandstone patterns.
• Palette morphing from fiery Southwestern oranges to cool Dakotas purples.
• Glinting reflections across twisted, wave-like rock contours.

Yet the area’s splendor extends past even the famous beams. Surrounding you in all directions are luminous, almost sensuous curves formed over thousands of years by rushing waters tirelessly carving through the stone. The textures surround you in an otherwordly cocoon – at once still yet teeming with movement.

READ: Best Time To Visit Antelope Canyon 2024

Critical Know Before You Go Tips for Visiting Antelope Canyon

As one of the most coveted and photographed slot canyons in the world, visiting Antelope Canyon requires significantly more planning and preparation than your average national park visit. Before embarking, be sure you know these key details:

Advance Tour Bookings

• Mandatory access tours are booked months in advance for peak season.
• Maximum visitor numbers are controlled per day.
• Select your company and reserve a spot as early as possible.

Timed Entry and Tour Options

• All visitors must join a Navajo-guided tour group.
• Standard lower canyon walking tours last 1.5 hours.
• Shorter 1-hour upper canyon tours require more stairs.
• Photographer tours allow tripods/longer time for best shots.

Physical Ability Requirements

• Steep staircases and ladders require sure footing.
• Smooth and uneven stone surfaces throughout.
• Hot summer temps can reach over 100°F in direct sun.

As you can see, Antelope Canyon requires far more planning than your average park visit. But the unmatched, mysterious beauty hidden within its twisting slot canyon walls makes all the logistical work well worth it!

Is Antelope Canyon’s Beauty Worth the Hassle For Photographers?

As one of the most uniquely picturesque and recognizable slot canyons on earth, Antelope Canyon holds an obvious appeal for travel photographers looking to capture something extraordinary.

Yet with significant tour constraints and seasonal crowds jockeying for epic shots, is checking this desert gorge off your photography bucket list worth the reality of visiting?

The Quick Rundown on Shooting Antelope Canyon

• Iconic beam light shafts and smoothly flowing walls.
• Endless play between light, shadows, and rich natural hues.
• Channels scenic wonder into a compact, controlled space.
• Mandatory tours limit time to 1-1.5 hours inside.
• Steep staircases and ladders obstruct some views.
• Crowds and tight space make composition tricky.

Tips For Maximizing Your Photographic Experience

• Book a photographer-focused tour for more time.
• Bring a wide-angle lens to capture full scenes.
• Study tours’ beam schedules to plan for optimal light.
• Follow guides’ positioning advice for the best vantage points.
• Leverage angles and foreground interest for standout shots.

Making the Most of Your Antelope Canyon Visit

Despite the justifiable hype surrounding its otherworldly aesthetics, the reality of visiting Antelope Canyon still involves battling crowds and making the most of very limited time inside. Here are expert insider tricks for maximizing your experience:

When To Visit

• Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures, good beams, and fewer tourists.
• Peak summer draws most visitors but monsoon rains can cause closures.

Booking Your Tour

• Reserve 4-6 months out for peak spring->fall months.
• Check the tour operator’s beam schedule to target ideal lighting.
• Book the longest available tour window for photography.

Arrive Early Onsite

• Give yourself a buffer before tour time for parking/check-in.
• Capture stunning landscapes around the canyon while waiting.

Have Gear Ready

• Wear good shoes for climbing ladders/stairs during the tour.
• Bring only essential camera gear due to tight space.

Focus Your Visit

• Follow guide directions precisely for safety and the best views.
• Move through quickly during shoot stops to give others turns.
• Composition over quantity – slow down to truly focus when the photo op strikes.

While battling crowds is inevitable, you can still experience the luminous magic of Antelope Canyon by planning carefully and making photography the priority when every moment matters inside. Let the guide direct you seamlessly from one perfectly composed shot to the next.

Patiently await the brief yet glorious interludes when those iconic beams blaze down unimpeded. Then raise your lens to capture fleeting moments of wonder unavailable anywhere else on the planet.

READ: Best Times To See Lower Antelope Canyon

With its worldwide fame through images, you’d be forgiven for questioning if Antelope Canyon warrants all the headaches involved in visiting in person.

Yet all doubts vanish after finishing an hour descending through its glowing corridors. Nowhere else can you walk inside living, breathing stone twisted into otherworldly smooth shapes constantly shifting in radiance, illuminated only by passing desert beams?

Despite the battle securing limited tour spots and navigating crowds once inside this storied slot canyon, its alien magic more than rewards the effort.

Even the most evocative photographs fail to capture the luminous splendor burning from within Antelope Canyon’s walls. Its glittering passageways exceed imaginable in real life is why the famous northern Arizona landmark rightfully ranks among the most bucket list-worthy natural wonders in the American Southwest.

What is the best time of day to see the light beams?

The most vivid lighting conditions occur midday when the sun beams directly down into the canyon, generally between 11 am – 1 pm. Beams swing into view earlier in summer and later in winter based on sun’s position.

When is the best season to visit Antelope Canyon?

Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures, fewer crowds, and an increased likelihood of beams compared to summer. Winter brings fewer tourists but some areas may close due to ice and snow.

What photography gear do I need?

As you’ll be constantly moving with limited space, travel light with just 1-2 lenses like a wide-angle and telephoto. Tripods are permitted but can be cumbersome. Remote triggers and filters help maximize light play.

How far in advance should I book a tour?

Depending on the season, book Antelope Canyon tours 4-6 months out as spots fill quickly. For peak spring and fall, a year ahead isn’t unreasonable for photography-focused tours.

Do cell phones work inside the canyon?

Given the remote, isolated location, don’t count on cell access once at the canyon. Download maps ahead of time and let companions know about limited connectivity.

Hi There! This is Taseen Alam. I am the founder of Nomad Footsteps and a full time online entrepreneur living my laptop lifestyle. I am a nomad myself as well as a traveler. On this blog, I share travel destinations, guides and itineraries etc. Join me on my journey of a nomad.

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Itinerary for Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon (+Map & Insider Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 3, 2024

Are you thinking of visiting Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend , but are not sure how to plan a trip? In this article, we share the perfect 2-day itinerary that covers all these bucket-list landmarks and so much more. This itinerary starts and ends in Las Vegas, but you can easily adjust it and start from Grand Canyon. We also include some suggestions for additional places you could visit nearby if you have more time. Find out!

Every traveler visiting American Southwest wants to see the famous Grand Canyon ! But Antelope Canyon and the nearby Horseshoe Bend are definitely worth a trip just as much. Unique landscapes, grandiose displays of nature’s power, and iconic imagery make these sites absolutely unmissable.

The sights along this 2-day trip rival any other in the United States. And while these natural landmarks are quite far from major cities, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon/ Horseshoe Bend are only two hours apart, making it easy to see them all on the same trip. 

Below, we have put together one of the most efficient itineraries so see the best of Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend in just two days . We have laid out the perfect loop starting and ending in Las Vegas . This road trip itinerary makes sure that you don’t backtrack and also get to see the major attractions at the best time of day.

Need to rent a car for your road trip? We personally use and recommend this website . You can easily compare offers from so many different companies with just a few clicks and find the best prices for your trip. Plus, they offer an excellent cancelation policy and you can also get full insurance for a much lower price than at the counter. We always use them, also on a recent road trip from Las Vegas.

Good to know: This itinerary is designed with the help of Matthew Meier , a local guide from Las Vegas who has led thousands of travelers on tours to Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon. In this article, he shares the best Grand Canyon – Horseshoe Bend – Antelope Canyon itinerary that not only brings you to all the must-see places along the way but also includes some hidden gems, his personal recommendations, and insider tips that will help you make the most of your trip.

Using his suggestions, you can easily plan a self-drive road trip visiting the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Hoover Dam, and more amazing places in two days .

TIP: Alternatively, if you don’t feel like planning everything yourself or driving 13 hours over two days, you can simply book this 2-day tour from Vegas that follows this exact same itinerary and hits all the places listed below.

Or you can book two separate day tours if you prefer not to do it all in one go. In that case, on one day, you could take this day tour to the Grand Canyon, including Hoover Dam & Route 66, then take a day to rest/ explore Vegas, and then go on this popular day tour to the Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend.

When to go: Weekdays are better than weekends, and spring and fall are better than summer and winter. Our absolute favorite time to visit Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend is in October and early November.

What to wear : Note that the Grand Canyon is almost 8,000 feet of elevation and can get cold in any season (although it’s usually hot in summer). Antelope Canyon is in the desert and can get very hot in all seasons apart from winter. It’s best to dress in layers so that you can adapt to the situation. Wear comfortable walking shoes, take sun protection, and pack plenty of water.

Good to know: It’s essential to book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance so that you can immediately see if it’s available for your travel dates. In the peak travel season, these tours usually sell out weeks in advance. So be sure to check availability for Antelope Canyon tours before planning your trip!

PRO TIP: Check the availability for all slot canyon tours in Page and book your Antelope Canyon tour before you book anything else. If there’s limited availability, you may have to adjust your itinerary to make it work.

TIP: If the Upper and the Lower Antelope Canyon tickets would be sold out, Antelope Canyon X is a great alternative. You’ll find more information about all of these options below.

Grand Canyon – Antelope Canyon 2-day road trip itinerary: overview & map

Hemenway park, grand canyon national park.

• Lower Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend

Glen canyon dam.

• Lake Powell
• Back to Las Vegas (with detour suggestions and tips to extend your trip)

Here you can see the map of this Grand Canyon – Antelope Canyon – Horseshoe Bend itinerary . On this map, we indicated all the places mentioned in this guide (and you can find all the details about each place further below).

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Day 1: Las Vegas – Hoover Dam – Route 66 – Grand Canyon

Since this itinerary is designed to make the most of the short time, this is a long and exciting day with lots to see. So in order to see it all and not have to rush everywhere, you will need to leave Las Vegas very early. Ideally, you depart from Vegas no later than 6.30 am in the winter, and 7.30 am in the summer.

TIP: You will need a car for this trip, so if you are renting a car, get it the evening before. Use this website to compare different providers and find some of the best deals for car rental.

Here’s what your first day would look like:

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

On the way out of town, make a quick stop at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign – one of the must-see attractions in Las Vegas . A photo stop in front of this iconic sign works best in the morning as the sun will be behind you for great lighting and crowds are thin this time of day.

TIP: Grab Coffee and pastries to go at Mothership Coffee Roasters as you pass by on your way to the next stop – see our map for the exact location.

Next stop: Hemenway Park, 27 miles/ 30 minutes drive.

Hemenway Park is a beautiful small park with nice views and – often – wildlife. It’s a hidden gem and just 1 minute off of the main road on the way to the Hoover Dam, so be sure to check it out.

This is a great place to spot bighorn sheep and take in views of Lake Mead. The bighorn sheep are part of a herd that hangs out at the park, particularly in the hotter months. They are wild animals but are used to seeing lots of people in the park, so you can usually get quite close to them for a photo.

Next stop: Hoover Dam, 6 miles/ 10-15 minutes.

The Hoover Dam is a modern engineering marvel in the middle of a ruggedly beautiful canyon. Along with the fantastic views of Lake Mead, this stop is a must on any road trip to the Grand Canyon.

There is a lot to see at the Hoover Dam, but with limited time, these are my recommended stops that will get you great photos and a personal sense of the size of the dam. Plus, it’s free!

After passing through security, you will see a parking lot on your right for the Mike O’Callaghan Memorial Bridge . A 5-minute walk up the ramps will lead you to the top of the second-highest bridge in the United States with sweeping views of the Hoover Dam and Colorado River below. This is the best place to take in the immense size of the dam and get a full photo of the face of the Hoover Dam.

After this photo stop, drive down the Hoover Dam access road, cross the Hoover Dam, then park at the first parking lot on the right side, Parking Lot 10. Parking area 9 is on the left and a bit closer, but charges a $10 parking fee. We recommend Parking Lot 10.

From here, walk back down the way you came, and walk across the Hoover Dam, going down one side and back another. On the left side with the Colorado River, make sure to check out the face of the Dam.

On the opposite side of Lake Mead, see the plaque halfway across the dam for a chance to stand in Nevada and Arizona at the same time !

Next stop: Route 66, 2 hours drive. Pit stop: Kingman AZ for cheap gas.

Route 66 is an iconic road that used to run from Los Angeles to Chicago . There are three main stops along Route 66 that we recommend checking out on your way from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon: Seligman, AZ, the historic section of highway, and Williams, AZ. See below for more info on each of these places.

Seligman, AZ

Seligman is a small town along the original Route 66 line that has preserved a lot of its buildings and culture, making it an ideal place to stop and see what Route 66 used to look like. It’s also a nice place to take some outstanding photos! 

You can park in front of or nearby the Copper Cart , an old gas station turned gift shop. It has the greatest variety of photo opportunities. Often you will see a real-life cowboy fully equipped with a couple of horses, cowboy hats, and 1870s Winchester rifles that you can use as props for your own epic photo. This service is free, but tips are appreciated and go toward hay for the horses.

Across the street from the Copper Cart is a colorful Seligman sign that will make any social media feed pop. There are dozens of great opportunities for photos in Seligman! However, try not to spend more than 40 minutes exploring this small town because you have to save time for the day’s highlight – The Grand Canyon.

Historic Route 66

From Seligman, you can get back on Interstate Hwy 40 and get going towards Grand Canyon… or you can spend a few extra minutes and cruise down the original Route 66 . I always recommend a short detour on this historic section of the highway! It’s not going to take you much longer than following the Interstate and can say you’ve driven on Route 66! 🙂

Just one minute down the road from the Copper Cart, you will see the turn-off to stay on Route 66 – see the picture below. Take a right here and stay on Route 66 for 20 minutes until it merges back with Interstate 40 East. 

Next stop: Williams, AZ, 40 miles/ 45 minutes from Seligman.

Williams, AZ

Williams is another small town along Route 66. Williams stands out for its excellent dining options. It makes a perfect place to grab lunch and get a few more classic Route 66 photos. Our top choice for lunch is Red Raven, a classic American restaurant that serves great food at fair prices. 

TIP: Williams has the only chance to get a photo with the Route 66 sign painted on the road in this region! So if you want to take a picture like that, make a quick stop on the way in or out of Williams to get your shot. Just be careful and keep an eye out for traffic if taking pictures on the road!

Next stop: Grand Canyon National Park, 60 miles/ 1 hour.

Grand Canyon National Park is enormous, spread out over 1,900 square miles (4,926 km²). There are three main rims that you can visit and you could spend several days just exploring the canyon… However, following this itinerary, you’ll only have half a day here. No worries – you can still see some of the best scenery of the Grand Canyon!

The most popular place to visit at the Grand Canyon (and the one we recommend for this itinerary) is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Here, you have easy access to some of the very best viewpoints over the majestic scenery. You’ll need to pay the National Park entrance fee (about $35 per car), or you use your annual National Parks Pass if you have it.

If you have been staying on schedule, you should be arriving at the Grand Canyon in the afternoon, giving you great light for photos and setting yourself up for a memorable sunset over the Grand Canyon.

TIP: To help avoid crowds AND get the best views, here are the best stops along the South Rim that you should hit, in this order: Yavapai Point, Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point. See below for more information about each of these stops and why we recommend them over the others.

Yavapai Point

Yavapai point has arguably the best views of the entire park. It is a great alternative to the more popular Mather Point just up the road. Mather Point does have a visitor center, but it is also the most crowded of all viewpoints at the Grand Canyon. Parking there can be a nightmare. Yavapai Point, on the other hand, almost always has available parking spaces. 

You could also walk to Mather Point from Yavapai, but it’s about 1 mile/ 20 minutes each way, and might be hard to squeeze it in with limited time. Or you could check out the parking lot there as you drive by after leaving Yavapai and stop for a quick visit if you can find a spot for your car (this will be easier in low season).

Anyway, back to the Yavapai Point. There are 3 things you MUST see here:

1. Yavapai Geology Museum

We prefer this museum over the visitors center. Not only does it have impressive displays and information about the creation of the Grand Canyon, but it also offers magnificent views of the canyon , as well.

They chose this spot for the museum because it is the best place to see the layers and colors in the Canyon. As a bonus, on freezing, hot, snowy, or windy days, this is a great place to escape the weather and still enjoy some views of the Grand Canyon. 

2. Wide-open canyon views

This hidden gem does not have an official name. From the museum with the Canyon on your right, walk along the rim trail for 3 minutes, until you see a small trail on your right leading out to an open rock. This viewpoint has the best unobstructed view of the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . 

While we don’t recommend this if you are scared of heights, this is also the best place to get a photo with your feet dangling over the Grand Canyon. If you want this type of photo, only do it via the “sit and scoot” method. Sit down 5 feet away from the edge, scoot out, get your shots, then scoot back 5 feet and stand up. Or simply enjoy the views and take some nice pictures of the Grand Canyon without putting yourself at risk!

3. Yavapai Point

Leaving the Museum with the canyon on your left, one minute down the Rim Trail, there is a set of stairs leading down to Yavapai Point. This overlook has a sturdy guardrail, making it a good chance for those with a fear of heights to get a close-up look at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Leaving Yavapai Point, you will want to drive east on Highway 64 heading towards Desert View. As you drive, keep an eye out the left side of your car for views of the Grand Canyon, and out the right side for deer and elk.

Here are more viewpoints that you will not want to miss along the road:

Grandview Point

Grandview Point is the first major stop along Highway 64 towards Desert View. Along with a nice view of the Grand Canyon, there are a couple of things to see here. The first is a “secret spot”.

To get there, find the very first parking spot in the lot, and to the right of it, there is a small trail. Follow that trail out and stay to the right. This will take you out to a secluded, quiet area with fantastic views of the mountains, canyon, and the Colorado River. Follow the blue arrows to get to the secret spot – see one of the pictures below. The red circle on the map below is another great photo opportunity. 

From the secret spot, you can follow the ridgeline back to the main point. Grandview point is also the starting point of the Grandview Trail. This trail can be taken all the way to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, but on a short visit, you can just walk a small part of it – this is a good chance to spend a few minutes inside the canyon. 

Moran Point

The next major stop along Hight 64 is Moran Point. It is another great place to get out of the car and see the Grand Canyon from a different angle.

Lipan Point

Lipan Point is one of the highest viewpoints at the South Rim. There isn’t a lot of room to walk around and explore here, but the views are amazing and make this a must-see.

TIP: Lipan Point is a great spot to watch the sunset. If visiting between March and October, this is our favorite place to watch the sunset over the canyon. From November until February, Moran Point is a better bet for catching a stellar sunset.

What about the Desert View Point?

Desert View also has some very nice views of the Grand Canyon, but we find it overrated (and mostly overcrowded) compared to the previously listed viewpoints.

It is one of the few places with parking for big buses, so it’s often very busy here. If you don’t have the time to see everything and it is busy, we suggest skipping Desert View and spending more time at the previously listed Grand Canyon stops.

Next stop: Hotel – see our recommendations on where to stay for this Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon itinerary.

Where to stay between Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon

There are a few options for lodging after this long day:

• Cheapest . The cheapest hotels somewhat along the way are in Flagstaff , but this is a serious detour. You’d have to drive over 50 miles extra to get to Flagstaff and then 50 miles back again on the next day. This would mean at least an hour, more likely 1.5 hrs, of extra driving on day 1 and also on day 2.
• Most fun . Cameron Trading Post . This is our favorite place to stay between Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon and it’s right en-route. It is a hotel that has been around for more than 100 years, yet they have recently renovated all their rooms, giving it a clean and updated feel. As a bonus, they have the best gift shop in the area, and the on-site restaurant serves traditional Navajo food along with Mexican and American favorites. If you want to stay here, make sure to book in advance!
• Half-way. Navajoland Hotel of Tuba City . This is a good alternative place to stay between Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon, about 70 minutes drive to Page. This is a simple lower budget hotel with a 24/7 reception, a restaurant (including Navajo specialties on the menu), and easy parking. Ideal if you’re just looking for a good value place to stay in the area.
• Most convenient . Page, AZ . Getting into Page will take you a bit longer on day one (about 75 miles/ 1h 15 drive from Cameron), but it will lead to a relaxed start to day two. Accommodation prices can be high on holidays and during the summer, but it’s worth it. Some hotels we particularly like in Page, AZ, are Country Inn and Suites , La Quinta , or Hampton Inn and Suites . Also here, for the best deals and availability, be sure to book in advance!

Where to eat

For dinner on day 1, we usually get sandwiches and salads at McAlister’s Deli in Cameron. The food is great and is quick. Alternatively, you can eat at any of the variety of places in Flagstaff or Page.

In Page, try Big Johns Texas BBQ or Birdhouse. Note that places close early in Page, one of your best bets for late-night eats is State 48 Tavern.

Day 2: Antelope Canyon – Horseshoe Bend – Glen Canyon Dam – Lake Powell – (Zion NP) – (Red Hills Desert Garden) – Las Vegas

Most hotels in Page and Flagstaff will serve free breakfast in the morning. Grab something quick to get you started on your day. If you spend the night in Flagstaff or in Cameron, you’ll have to start very early. If you slept in Page, you can have a bit more relaxing morning.

The second day of this itinerary is going to revolve around your visit to the two major attractions in the Page area: Antelope Canyon (Upper or Lower Canyon, or Canyon X) and Horseshoe Bend . We recommend touring Lower Antelope Canyon. Alternatively, if you have trouble walking or descending stairs, opt for the Upper Antelope Canyon.

TIP: To get the best light for your photos, plan the first half of your day like this:

• If visiting Lower Antelope Canyon . Tour Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, 8.30-10.30 am is best. Go to Horseshoe Bend around noon.
• If visiting Upper Antelope Canyon or Canyon X. Visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning. Visit Upper Antelope Canyon as close to noon as possible. The same applies for Canyon X, where the best time to visit is +- between 10.30 am and 1 pm.

No matter which one you choose, be sure to reserve your tickets well in advance (one of the easiest ways is to book tickets and tours on GetYourGuide or on Viator ). Below, you can find all the essential information for visiting the Antelope Canyon, and more information about various ticket options.

Lower Antelope Canyon OR Upper Antelope Canyon OR Canyon X

If you are physically capable, we recommend visiting the Lower Antelope Canyon. Here are some things you may want to know when deciding where to go:

Lower Antelope Canyon is over twice as long as Upper Antelope Canyon and the tickets for the Lower Canyon are a lot cheaper. It also has fewer people inside at one time. In the second half of your tour at the Lower Canyon, the crowds will spread out and you get good chances for photos without other people in them. Furthermore, Lower Antelope Canyon also has more twists and turns, plus stairs going up and down, giving you a real feeling of adventure when hiking through this slot canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon is also amazing and is better known! It is great for people with mobility issues who can’t navigate the stairs of the Lower Canyon, so all tour groups tend to visit the Upper Canyon. That’s why it’s much busier and also a lot more expensive. Depending on the season, Upper Antelope Canyon tickets can be twice the price of the Lower Canyon.

Good to know: Note that neither Lower nor Upper Antelope Canyon offers photography tours anymore. Also, neither section allows you to bring in tripods, selfie sticks, bags of any size, or other photography equipment inside the canyon. Cameras and phones are allowed. 

Canyon X is a lesser-known canyon just nearby. It has a bit of a mix of what you see at the Upper and Lower Canyon – with the stunning pillars of light that you see at the Upper Antelope Canyon, but it’s steeper – like the Lower Antelope Canyon. It’s also deeper and offers lots of great photo opportunities.

Because it’s not that well known, at the moment, Canyon X is still much cheaper to visit than the other two canyons. It can be a great alternative for those who prefer to get a bit off the beaten path.

Antelope Canyon tour companies

Antelope Canyon is part of the Navajo Nation. You must join a tour if you want to see the canyon and the Navajo Nation has authorized several companies to run the tours. There are two companies running tours of the Lower Antelope Canyon and four companies run tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. They all offer very similar experiences and prices.

Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies are Ken’s Tours and Dixie Ellis. They both lead the same tour of the same section of the canyon and prices are usually the same. We prefer Ken’s Tours as they have a nice air-conditioned waiting room with a cafe, but as far as tours go – it’s all the same.

Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies: Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, Antelope Canyon Tours, and Antelope Slot Canyon Tours.

Canyon X can be a nice alternative to the more famous Antelope Canyons. It’s also much quieter.

Antelope Canyon tickets !!!

More important than the tour company you choose is actually getting your tickets. On weekends, holidays, and during the summer, tickets can sell out very far in advance. When planning your trip, the absolute first thing you need to plan is your Antelope Canyon tickets! Seriously, don’t book anything until you have these tickets in your email inbox. 

You can get tickets on the websites of all the official tour companies mentioned above, and also on Viator . Please note that most of these tickets are non-refundable .

TIP: Alternatively, you can also easily reserve your tickets for the Antelope Canyon on GetYourGuide . At the moment of the last update, they offer Antelope Canyon ticket options with free cancelation (but be sure to double-check, in case things change). This is where we booked our tickets for the most recent visit to Antelope Canyon.

Here are some of the best options for the Antelope Canyon tickets online:

• Lower Antelope Canyon tickets ,
• Upper Antelope Canyon Tickets ,
• Canyon X tickets .

TIP: As already mentioned, for the Lower Canyon, try to book the 8.30 or 9 am tour – the light will be best for your photos, and the crowds are not as thick at this time. For the best light at the Upper Canyon or Canyon X – go around 11 am – noon.

Additional things to know when visiting the Antelope Canyon

• Arrive 30 minutes before your tour. From the time you arrive to the time you leave, plan on spending here about 2 hours. 
• Leave all your bags in the car!
• Filters can help you get the best photos. Try ‘Vivid’ mode on iPhone or ‘Pro Mode’ on Android.
• Your Navajo tour guide will help you take photos throughout the tour. If you are happy with their service, tips are appreciated. $2-3 per person is recommended. 
• It is generally 10 degrees cooler inside the canyon. Wear your warmest clothes in the winter! Also, wear sensible walking shoes.

Next stop: Horseshoe Bend, 15 minutes.

Horseshoe Bend is a U-shaped turn in the Colorado River with 1,000-foot sheer rock drops down to the river. The entrance fee is $10 per car, you can not use a National Park Pass here.

You can visit Horseshoe Bend in as little as one hour, but to really get the most out of it you should plan on spending two hours. 

There is a bit of a hike out to the viewing area, it takes about 15 minutes or 0.6 miles to get there and the same coming back. After your hike, your first point in front of you will be an overlook with a sturdy railing. This is a good chance for a photo, but it can get quite crowded. The more you hike towards your right, the thinner the crowd will get. You can get some fresh angles of the bend up there as well!

TIP: Bring water and wear comfy shoes. You are hiking in the desert, please come prepared. And of course, be careful around the edge – there have been quite a few accidents here! 

The town of Page is only 10 minutes from Horseshoe Bend and has some winning options for lunch. Our favorites include Birdhouse, Slackers, and Big Johns Texas BBQ. For an afternoon cup of coffee, there is a Starbucks inside the Safeway in the middle of town.

Next stop: Glen Canyon Dam, 10 minutes.

Similar in size and structure to the Hoover Dam, the Glen Canyon Dam makes for a fun and literally knee-shaking stop on your way back to Las Vegas. 

Park in the visitor center’s parking lot, and make sure to turn around and climb out on the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, the fifth highest bridge in the United States. The view of the Dam and the Colorado River is great, and the feeling of the entire bridge shaking as semi-trucks pass can raise some eyebrows. 

The visitor center here has some useful information on the creation of the dam and nice views of the dam and Lake Powell.

Good to know: The restrooms in the visitor center are the last decent ones for a while along the road back to Las Vegas.

TIP: If you want to take a picture of the entire dam – similar view of what you see at Hoover Dam – you can find this view at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook on the left side before you leave Page (we indicated the location on our map as well).

Wahweap Overlook of Lake Powell

Wahweap Overlook is another nice stop just outside of Page. With a free parking lot 1 minute off of the main road, it is worth a try. The 360 views of Lake Powell and the surrounding mountains, plateaus, and valley make it a great photo stop.

Next stop: Las Vegas, 270 miles/ 4-5 hours.

TIP: Depending on how you are doing for time, you can make a few more stops on your way back from Page to Las Vegas. See below for our favorite of suggestions.

Zion National Park

A detour through Zion National Park will cost you an hour of time but can be worth it for the towering views, even if only seen from your rental car.

If, however, you could add a day to your itinerary, stay in Springdale near Zion and visit the park the next day. Here you can find our suggestions for the best hikes in Zion . Also Bryce Canyon National Park is not far away and makes a great addition to any trip to this area, but only if you have more time than these two days. Here you can find our guide on how to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon in 1-3 days .

Alternatively – if you are driving straight to Las Vegas – below, we have one more suggestion for one more nice stop along the way.

Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George Utah

Red Hills Desert Garden is one of our favorite short stops on the way back to Las Vegas. 

This botanical garden has a variety of desert plants and cactus and is a great place to break up your drive and stretch your legs on multiple walking paths. Admission is free and the park is open daily between 6 am and 10 pm.

From here, it is a straight shot back to Las Vegas down Interstate 15. The driving distance from St George to Las Vegas is about 120 miles and it normally takes just a bit under 2 hours.

So, this is our suggested itinerary with Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend as the main highlights. As you can see, it covers a lot of ground in just two days. It’s perfect for those who have limited time and want to make the absolute most of their short trip in this area. But it is packed indeed!

Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to rent a car in Las Vegas and pick it up the day before you start your trip and likely only return it the day after you get back to Vegas. If you have a few days extra, keep the car longer and do a couple of more great day trips from Las Vegas as well.

TIP: As already mentioned before, if you want to see Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and all the other places mentioned in this itinerary without having to worry about all the practicalities, hotels, tour tickets, parking, and driving, you can also book this small-group tour that does this exact same trip .

If you have a few more days…

If you have more time, there are several ways to adjust this itinerary and make it more relaxing, or add a few more destinations to the mix and see even more amazing places in the area. Here are some suggestions:

• Stay at the Grand Canyon for one night . This would allow you to spend more time at the South Rim and maybe even take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon . Here you can find our suggestions on where to stay at the Grand Canyon and here – the best one-day itinerary for Grand Canyon South Rim .
• Spend a day visiting Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park . As already mentioned, Zion NP is practically on the way between Antelope Canyon and Las Vegas and is a perfect addition to this itinerary. More info: Zion to Bryce Canyon .
• When driving from Grand Canyon to Page, you can take a short detour to Monument Valley . This would require at least half a day in your itinerary, and is well worth it. Here you can find our guide to the Monument Valley Scenic Drive .
• Also Sedona, AZ , could be a nice place to include in this itinerary if you have at least a day extra. It’s just 30 miles south of Flagstaff and you can see the main highlights of Sedona in one full day, so you could easily add it to your Southwest road trip. Here you can find more information about the best things to do in Sedona , and here – Sedona day trip itinerary .
• On an even longer holiday, consider a visit to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area , about 2 hours south of Sedona. There’s so much to see and do there as well! Here you can find itinerary suggestions for Phoenix – Scottsdale area .

As you can see, there are so many beautiful places that you can visit and there are many ways to plan a trip to the region.

We hope that this itinerary with all the insider tips and recommendations will help you make a real bucket-list trip to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Route 66, and maybe also a few other destinations nearby.

Have a great trip!

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located less than 10 miles from each other and about 110 miles, 2 hours drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim. Because of this proximity, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are popular destinations to visit as a day trip from Grand Canyon, or as part of a longer road trip through the region.

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are about 280 miles, almost 5 hours drive from Las Vegas. While it is a long drive, it is even possible to visit here as a day trip from Las Vegas. In that case, it’s best to go with an organized day tour as they’ll make sure that you can see everything and make the best of your day.

While it is possible to see some viewpoints at the Grand Canyon and visit Antelope Canyon in one day, we recommend at least two days for these two areas. If you are starting/ending in Las Vegas, you should definitely count two days: one day for Route 66 and Grand Canyon and the second day for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the drive back to Vegas.

READ ALSO: How to See the BEST of Las Vegas in 1 Day

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Images: Matthew Meier and Depositphotos.com

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Wednesday 20th of March 2024

Thanks a ton, Jurga, for this detailed itinerary, the tips and suggestions. We used the 2-day itinerary but added a third day (in the middle between GC and Antelope Canyon) for Sedona, as we stayed in Flagstaff. We just came back and this itinerary was super helpful including the nudge to drive through Zion NP which was amazing. Couple of pointers for future travelers: 1) Our kids on Spring Break did not want to rise too early, so we started mid-morning on Day 1 and only got to see Yavapai Point in the GC before dark on Day 1. We planned to come back to GC from a half day at Sedona. As it turned out, our time there was in the middle of a winter storm, so when we came back the next day, Desert View Avenue was closed due to snow on the ground and we could not access Moran Pt, Lipan Pt or Desert View Pt. We revisited Yavapai and some neighboring lookouts, but there was heavy fog. Stepping inside the museum is indeed a great idea.

We were not able to find the Route 66 sign on the road near Williams. The Locals were not sure either. We did find a Route 66 mural and one more cute picture-worthy Route 66 sign-post, but not a sign painted on the road itself.

2) Day 2- Cathedral trail in Sedona was closed due to weather and or maintenance, but we were able to go a short distance on the trail that was open, for some photos, and turned back. The Holy Cross Chapel offered a good view of some of the overlooks. We also added the Amitabha Stupa to round out a half day in Sedona.

3) Day 3- The winter weather put water into the Antelope Canyon due to which both Upper and Lower canyons were closed while they worked through water removal. We did not get the closure notification until about 30 mins out of Page and an hour out of our reserved time slot. We improvised and visited the Horse Shoe Bend Canyon instead (also called Secret Canyon) which was not closed. It was very beautiful and not crowded at all- so got plenty of photo ops there. We got some sudden hail while we were there but that did not disrupt the visit much. You can visit this canyon with bags etc, would highly recommend the Horse Shoe Bend Slot Canyon as an alternative to the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyons. Doesnt look like pre-reservations are needed for this. The tour company provides a combined tour that includes a private access point to the Horse Shoe Bend overlook itself- again the only crowds there are the ones on your tour with the tour company.

4) We are very glad we decided to drive through the Zion NP. Very beautiful and scenic!

Thanks again, Jurga for the ready-to-use 2-day itinerary! Utpala

Thursday 21st of March 2024

Thanks for sharing your experience; I'm sure it will be helpful to others. Seems like the weather threw quite a few challenges on you, but you made the best of it. Happy travels!

Monday 18th of March 2024

My husband and I, both in our seventies, would like to visit Antelope Canyon. If I understand correctly, the upper Canyon is not as bad as the lower Canyon as far as walking. How difficult is it getting around the upper Canyon?

Hi Gayle, you are right that the Upper Antelope Canyon is easier to access. It's not like the Lower one is 'bad', it simply has some stairs and steps which, in my view, make the experience even more unique. But if you have any mobility concerns, opt for the Upper one indeed. There's nothing really difficult about it and anyone in regular physical condition shouldn't have any issues. It's not wheelchair accessible or so, but otherwise, nothing to worry about. If you can stand and walk (slowly) for about an hour, you'll be fine. It's absolutely worth it! Just get your tickets in advance or you won't be able to visit!

Thursday 11th of January 2024

Hi, thank you for your very well written and detailed itinerary. My partner and I plan to follow this itinerary when we travel to Las Vegas in a few weeks. Is there anyway I can get a 'printer-friendly' version? So we have a hard copy to utilise? Thank you

Hi Monica, you can always try Ctrl+p or just screenshot the parts that you want to have at hand during the trip. Unfortunately, we do not have printable versions of our articles. There are just too many changes and updates all the time and we try to keep them as up-to-date as possible. Have a great trip!

Saturday 6th of January 2024

Hi, this is probably a crazy question but would you happen to know the total mileage for this trip?

Monday 8th of January 2024

Hi Devon, the route as shown on our embedded map is about 703 miles (1132 km) and Google Maps shows 12.5 hours of driving time. Just keep in mind that the actual mileage will depend a bit on your choices and which detours (if any) you take and that you will also need more time for sightseeing so 2 days is really an absolute minimum for this trip. Hope this helps.

Monday 25th of September 2023

Hi, what is the cost for 2 days tour for 4 people from 9th Oct to 10th Oct? Thanks, Sally

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

Hi Sally, if you want to book a tour that follows this itinerary, you can check availability and prices here. Have a great trip!

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Visiter Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon est l’une des merveilles naturelles les plus spectaculaires des États-Unis et un incontournable pour tous ceux qui voyagent dans l’ Arizona . Situé près de la ville de Page, au cœur de la Nation Navajo , ce canyon est célèbre pour ses formations géologiques uniques, ses couleurs vives et ses jeux de lumière incroyables. Il est divisé en deux sections principales : Upper Antelope Canyon et Lower Antelope Canyon . Ces deux parties, bien que similaires, offrent des expériences distinctes qui attirent chaque année des milliers de visiteurs. Visiter Antelope Canyon, c’est découvrir un paysage presque irréel où le soleil danse sur les parois ondulées, créant des reflets et des ombres fascinants. Que vous soyez photographe amateur ou simple voyageur, Antelope Canyon vous promet une expérience inoubliable.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Préparer votre visite à Antelope Canyon

Préparer votre visite à Antelope Canyon nécessite de prendre en compte plusieurs facteurs pour garantir une expérience fluide et agréable. Il est important de noter que l’accès au canyon se fait uniquement par des visites guidées organisées par les Navajos, les propriétaires du terrain. Il est donc essentiel de réserver votre place avec votre conseiller du Cercle des Voyages dès l’établissement de votre devis, surtout si vous prévoyez de visiter pendant les périodes de haute affluence. Par ailleurs, étant donné que le canyon est situé dans une région désertique, il est crucial d’apporter suffisamment d’eau, de vous protéger du soleil et de porter des chaussures confortables adaptées à la marche dans le sable.

Quand partir à Antelope Canyon : Saisons et affluence

Le meilleur moment pour visiter Antelope Canyon dépend de plusieurs facteurs, notamment la météo, l’affluence et l’objectif de votre visite. Les mois de mars à octobre sont les plus prisés en raison du beau temps et des fameux faisceaux de lumière qui apparaissent dans l’Upper Antelope Canyon lorsque le soleil est à son zénith, entre 11h et 13h. Cependant, cette période est également la plus fréquentée, et il peut être difficile d’obtenir une réservation. Si vous préférez une visite plus calme, les mois de novembre à février sont moins fréquentés, mais vous devrez faire l’impasse sur les faisceaux lumineux. La lumière douce de l’hiver, en revanche, permet de capturer des couleurs plus douces sur les parois du canyon.

Tout savoir sur les visites guidées d’Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon ne peut être visité qu’avec un guide agréé. Les guides Navajos sont non seulement essentiels pour vous orienter dans les méandres du canyon, mais ils partagent également des informations précieuses sur l’histoire et la culture de la région. Une visite guidée vous permettra de comprendre comment Antelope Canyon s’est formé, ainsi que son importance pour la Nation Navajo. Les visites durent généralement entre 60 et 90 minutes et sont proposées pour l’Upper et le Lower Antelope Canyon.

Visiter Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon est la partie la plus populaire du site, connue pour ses larges passages et ses faisceaux de lumière spectaculaires. L’accès au canyon est relativement facile, car il est de niveau plat et accessible à tous, y compris aux personnes âgées et aux enfants. Les visites photo spécialisées sont également disponibles, permettant aux photographes amateurs et professionnels d’obtenir des clichés sans être pressés par le temps.

Visiter Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon, bien que moins célèbre que sa contrepartie supérieure, offre une expérience tout aussi époustouflante, avec des passages plus étroits et des formations rocheuses en spirale. Contrairement à Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope Canyon nécessite un peu plus d’efforts physiques, car il faut descendre et monter des échelles pour explorer les profondeurs du canyon. Le site est également moins fréquenté, offrant ainsi une expérience plus intime.

Lower ou Upper Antelope Canyon : Comment choisir ?

Le choix entre Upper et Lower Antelope Canyon dépend principalement de vos préférences et de vos capacités physiques. Si vous recherchez une visite facile avec de vastes espaces et les célèbres faisceaux lumineux, Upper Antelope Canyon est fait pour vous. En revanche, si vous préférez une aventure plus physique et une expérience plus immersive avec moins de monde, Lower Antelope Canyon est l’option idéale. Les deux canyons offrent des paysages à couper le souffle, mais chacun a sa propre particularité.

Comment se rendre à Antelope Canyon ?

Antelope Canyon est situé près de la ville de Page , en Arizona, dans le nord de l’État, non loin de la frontière avec l’ Utah . La plupart des visiteurs viennent en voiture depuis les grandes villes environnantes. Si vous partez de Phoenix , comptez environ 4h30 de route. Depuis Las Vegas , il vous faudra environ 4h15 pour atteindre Page. De nombreux visiteurs incluent Antelope Canyon dans un road trip qui inclut d’autres attractions de la région comme Monument Valley , Horseshoe Bend ou le lac Powell . Votre conseiller Cercle des Voyages est là pour vous conseiller et vous guider au mieux en fonction de vos envies.

Lac Powell, fleuve Colorado

Itinéraire détaillé et moyens de transport

L’itinéraire le plus courant pour se rendre à Antelope Canyon est d’emprunter l’ US-89 , une route pittoresque qui traverse de magnifiques paysages désertiques. Si vous n’avez pas de voiture, des excursions d’une journée sont organisées depuis des villes comme Las Vegas ou Phoenix. Vous pouvez également prendre un vol jusqu’à l’aéroport de Page, mais les vols directs sont limités et peuvent être coûteux. Une fois à Page, vous pouvez louer un véhicule ou rejoindre une excursion guidée qui inclut le transport jusqu’à Antelope Canyon.

Conseils pratiques pour une expérience inoubliable

Pour tirer le meilleur parti de votre visite à Antelope Canyon, il est recommandé de porter des vêtements légers et confortables, ainsi que des chaussures adaptées à la marche sur du sable. N’oubliez pas d’apporter de l’eau, car le climat désertique peut être très sec, surtout pendant les mois d’été. Pour une expérience photographique optimale, prévoyez de visiter Upper Antelope Canyon en milieu de journée, lorsque les faisceaux lumineux sont les plus intenses.

Meilleurs moments pour visiter Antelope Canyon et obtenir des photos magiques

Le moment idéal pour visiter Antelope Canyon et capturer des photos magiques est en plein milieu de la journée, entre 11h et 13h, lorsque le soleil est à son zénith et que les faisceaux lumineux pénètrent dans le canyon. Cela est particulièrement vrai pour l’Upper Antelope Canyon. Pour Lower Antelope Canyon, la lumière est plus uniforme tout au long de la journée, ce qui permet de réaliser de belles photos à tout moment.

Sécurité et Restrictions : Ce qu’il faut savoir avant d’aller à Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon est un site sacré pour la Nation Navajo, et des règles strictes y sont appliquées pour assurer sa préservation. Il est important de suivre les consignes de votre guide à tout moment et de rester sur les sentiers désignés. En raison des risques d’inondations soudaines, les visites peuvent être annulées en cas de fortes pluies. Il est donc conseillé de vérifier la météo avant votre départ et de prévoir des vêtements adaptés en fonction des conditions météorologiques.

La météo à Antelope Canyon

La météo à Antelope Canyon est typique des régions désertiques : les étés sont extrêmement chauds, tandis que les hivers sont frais mais agréables. Les températures peuvent dépasser les 40°C en été, alors qu’en hiver, elles tournent autour de 10 à 15°C. Il est important de choisir une tenue adaptée à la saison, avec des vêtements légers et respirants en été, et des couches supplémentaires en hiver.

Comprendre Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon est bien plus qu’une simple attraction touristique : c’est un chef-d’œuvre de la nature, formé au cours de millions d’années par un processus géologique fascinant. Ses parois de grès ondulantes et ses couleurs changeantes en fonction de la lumière ont fait de ce lieu une destination incontournable pour les amoureux de la nature et les photographes du monde entier. Cependant, au-delà de sa beauté évidente, Antelope Canyon a aussi une signification culturelle profonde pour la Nation Navajo, qui le considère comme un site sacré.

Origines et formations géologiques d’Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon est un canyon en fente , c’est-à-dire une gorge étroite et profonde formée par l’érosion de la roche par l’eau. Ce type de canyon se caractérise par des parois très rapprochées, qui s’élèvent à plusieurs dizaines de mètres au-dessus des visiteurs. Le processus qui a créé Antelope Canyon est à la fois lent et violent, et remonte à plusieurs millions d’années.

Les formations géologiques d’Antelope Canyon sont le résultat direct de l’érosion de la roche de grès, une roche sédimentaire relativement tendre et sensible aux éléments. L’érosion s’est produite principalement lors d’ inondations soudaines , un phénomène commun dans les régions désertiques comme celle de Page, en Arizona. Ces inondations, provoquées par des pluies violentes, entraînent des torrents d’eau qui s’infiltrent dans les fissures des roches. Au fil du temps, ces fissures s’élargissent pour former des crevasses profondes et étroites.

Ce processus d’érosion hydraulique a façonné les parois du canyon, créant des ondulations et des courbes qui semblent presque irréelles. La manière dont l’eau a sculpté la roche donne l’impression que les parois sont fluides, comme si elles avaient été modelées par des vagues. Ce qui rend Antelope Canyon particulièrement spectaculaire, c’est la façon dont la lumière du soleil pénètre dans ces fentes. Les rayons du soleil, lorsqu’ils traversent l’ouverture étroite au-dessus du canyon, illuminent les parois de grès en jouant avec les ombres et les lumières, ce qui accentue les couleurs orangées, rouges et pourpres de la roche.

Les fameuses faisceaux de lumière qui se produisent lorsque le soleil est à son zénith (particulièrement entre mars et octobre dans l’Upper Antelope Canyon) sont l’un des spectacles les plus recherchés par les visiteurs. Ces faisceaux, qui semblent toucher le sol du canyon avec une pureté lumineuse, sont créés par la rencontre parfaite entre la position du soleil et les ouvertures naturelles du canyon. Ils transforment Antelope Canyon en une véritable cathédrale naturelle de lumière et de roche, offrant des opportunités photographiques incroyables.

Drapeau de la Nation Navajo

La culture Navajo et le respect du site sacré

Au-delà de ses formations géologiques remarquables, Antelope Canyon revêt une grande importance culturelle et spirituelle pour les Navajos, peuple autochtone qui vit dans la région depuis des siècles. Le canyon fait partie de la Nation Navajo , une réserve amérindienne qui couvre une grande partie de l’Arizona, de l’Utah et du Nouveau-Mexique . Antelope Canyon est un lieu sacré pour les Navajos, et il est essentiel pour les visiteurs de comprendre et de respecter cette dimension spirituelle lors de leur visite.

Pour les Navajos, Antelope Canyon est un lieu où la Terre et le ciel se rencontrent. Les formations tourbillonnantes du canyon sont vues comme un symbole de la force et de la beauté de la nature. Le nom Navajo du canyon est «  Tsé bighánílíní « , ce qui signifie « l’endroit où l’eau coule à travers les rochers », illustrant ainsi l’importance de l’eau dans la formation et la spiritualité du lieu.

Les visites guidées sont une manière de respecter ce site sacré, tout en apprenant des histoires et des légendes transmises par les guides Navajos. Ces visites permettent de mieux comprendre la signification spirituelle du canyon et la manière dont les Navajos interagissent avec la nature environnante. Lors de votre visite, il est important de suivre les consignes des guides et d’éviter tout comportement irrespectueux, comme laisser des déchets ou toucher les parois du canyon, qui peuvent être fragiles.

Le respect des règles environnementales et spirituelles est fondamental pour préserver cet espace à la fois naturel et sacré. Les guides Navajos insistent souvent sur l’importance de marcher doucement, de ne pas élever la voix et de se comporter avec respect envers le lieu et ses habitants spirituels.

Autour d’Antelope Canyon : Activités complémentaires

Si Antelope Canyon est une attraction incontournable, la région qui l’entoure offre également de nombreuses autres activités naturelles et culturelles qui méritent d’être découvertes. La proximité de Page, une petite ville de l’Arizona, en fait un excellent point de départ pour explorer les environs et profiter pleinement de cette région désertique riche en paysages spectaculaires.

L’une des attractions les plus populaires autour d’Antelope Canyon est Horseshoe Bend , un méandre spectaculaire du fleuve Colorado . Situé à quelques minutes de Page, ce point de vue offre une vue imprenable sur la courbe parfaite que forme le fleuve à cet endroit. C’est un autre lieu prisé des photographes et des voyageurs en quête de paysages grandioses. Accessible par une courte randonnée d’environ 1,2 kilomètre, Horseshoe Bend est un complément parfait à une journée de visite à Antelope Canyon.

À quelques kilomètres de là se trouve également Lake Powell , un immense lac artificiel créé par le barrage de Glen Canyon. Lake Powell est un véritable paradis pour les amateurs de sports nautiques. Vous pouvez y pratiquer le kayak, le paddle ou encore le bateau, tout en admirant les falaises de grès qui entourent le lac. Pour ceux qui préfèrent des activités plus détendues, les plages autour du lac offrent un cadre parfait pour se relaxer en toute tranquillité.

Horseshoe Bend, fleuve Colorado

Autres attractions naturelles dans la région

En plus de Horseshoe Bend et du lac Powell, la région de Page abrite d’autres merveilles naturelles et sites à explorer. Le Glen Canyon National Recreation Area , par exemple, est une vaste zone protégée qui s’étend sur plus d’un million d’acres et offre de nombreuses possibilités de randonnées, de visites en bateau et de découvertes géologiques. Le barrage de Glen Canyon est également une prouesse d’ingénierie qui vaut le détour, ne serait-ce que pour sa vue panoramique sur le fleuve Colorado.

Un peu plus loin, à environ deux heures de route, se trouve l’emblématique Monument Valley , un autre site sacré pour les Navajos. Ce paysage désertique parsemé de monolithes rocheux est un véritable symbole de l’Ouest américain, souvent vu dans les films hollywoodiens. Les visites guidées en Jeep organisées par les Navajos vous permettront d’explorer cet endroit mystique tout en apprenant davantage sur la culture et les traditions locales.

Aventures et visites culturelles à proximité

En plus des merveilles naturelles, la région offre également des expériences culturelles enrichissantes. La culture Navajo est omniprésente dans cette partie de l’Arizona, et il est possible de participer à des excursions qui incluent des visites de villages Navajos, des expositions d’artisanat local ou même des démonstrations de danses traditionnelles.

Certaines visites à Monument Valley incluent des arrêts dans des hogan , les habitations traditionnelles des Navajos, où les guides partagent des récits sur la vie dans cette région désertique. De plus, des marchés locaux permettent d’acheter des bijoux, des textiles et d’autres objets artisanaux fabriqués par les membres de la Nation Navajo, offrant ainsi un moyen de soutenir l’économie locale tout en emportant un souvenir authentique de votre voyage.

Monument Valley, Arizona

Visiter Antelope Canyon est une expérience inoubliable, offrant un mélange parfait de beauté naturelle et de découvertes culturelles. Que vous choisissiez d’explorer Upper ou Lower Antelope Canyon, vous serez émerveillé par la grandeur des formations géologiques et la magie des jeux de lumière. Pour maximiser votre expérience, assurez-vous de planifier à l’avance, de réserver vos excursions en ligne et de respecter les règles locales. Antelope Canyon est un trésor à préserver pour les générations futures, et chaque visiteur a un rôle à jouer dans sa conservation.

Quelle est la durée recommandée pour la visite ? La visite d’Antelope Canyon dure généralement entre 60 et 90 minutes, mais il est recommandé de prévoir un peu plus de temps pour vous rendre sur place et profiter des environs.

L’accès est-il possible avec de jeunes enfants ? Oui, Upper Antelope Canyon est accessible aux familles avec de jeunes enfants grâce à ses passages larges et plats. Lower Antelope Canyon nécessite plus d’efforts physiques et est moins adapté aux tout-petits.

Quelles sont les règles de photographie à Antelope Canyon ? La photographie est autorisée, mais il est important de respecter les règles. Les trépieds ne sont autorisés que lors des visites photo dédiées, et il est demandé aux visiteurs de ne pas bloquer les passages.

Quelles sont les mesures écologiques mises en place pour la conservation du site ? La Nation Navajo met en place des mesures strictes pour préserver Antelope Canyon, notamment des restrictions d’accès, des visites guidées obligatoires et une sensibilisation à l’importance du respect de l’environnement.

Circuit en petit groupe dans le nord-ouest américain

L’ouest américain en hébergements atypiques

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