Antelope Canyon…you’ve “been there and done that.” Even if you haven’t, second-hand accounts of teeming hordes of people being herded along, reminiscent of the lines at Disneyland, are enough to turn you off to this attraction completely. A recent review on TripAdvisor even went as far as to say that “Wal-Mart on Black Friday isn’t this chaotic!” Still, you know that a vacation to the Page/Lake Powell area wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of these “small wonders” that make Northern Arizona and Southern Utah like no other place on Earth.
So the question is this: are there any other slot canyon tours in the area that bear even a slight resemblance to Antelope Canyon, without all the people? Happily, the answer is “absolutely yes!” Read on to learn which Antelope Canyon Alternative Tour would be most appropriate for your family to explore on your Grand Canyon or Lake Powell vacation.
Canyon X
Also known as “Antelope Canyon X” because it is “technically an upper segment of the same canyon” (DesertUSA.com), Canyon X brings back memories of how Antelope Canyon used to be: a quiet, relatively unknown crack in the ground whose narrow, convoluted walls have been carved into soft, swirling shapes by wind, water and time. Its ever-changing colors, determined by the angle of the sun overhead, make the visitor feel like they’re in another world. A few days of the year, you can even experience the shaft of light that Upper Antelope Canyon is so famous for!
So why aren’t more people here? For one thing, getting to Canyon X isn’t entirely a walk in the park. Like so many canyons in Arizona, what goes down, must come back up. In the case of Canyon X, a descent down a 150-foot fissure in the riverbed is required to access the “tiny but stunning” (American Landscape Images) canyon, followed by a similar climb back up to exit. While it is manageable for most people, a recent review on TripAdvisor cautioned that “if you, like me, are middle-aged, overweight, out of shape, or not used to the altitude, you may have trouble, but I considered it part of the adventure!” **2022 UPDATE: A recently installed series of wooden boardwalks makes the climb in and out of Antelope Canyon X a little easier now!
Canyon X is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. You must travel with a licensed tour outfitter. Sightseeing and photographic tours to Canyon X are offered by Taadidiin Tours. Tour groups of no more than 9 passengers per departure meet 10 miles southeast of Page, AZ on Highway 98 at milepost 307.8. For pricing and other information, visit www.antelopecanyon-x.com.
Secret Antelope Canyon
We love Antelope Canyon. We wouldn’t have named our site after it if we didn’t! But there’s no getting around the fact that it’s on the verge of being loved a little too much. A Yelp reviewer even dared to say that “you shouldn’t even waste your time or money on the overcrowded, photo bombed, rushed through Antelope Canyon tour just because it may be ‘cheaper.’” Ouch. So where should you go instead? To a place so obscure, so off-the-beaten-path and seen by so few eyes that only one name comes to mind for it: Secret Antelope Canyon!
Also known as “Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon” due to its relatively close proximity to the world-famous Colorado River overlook, Secret Antelope Canyon is actually a branch of the upper drainage of Waterholes Canyon (more on that in another post) that “rivals Antelope Canyon for nicely lit, swirling formations” (American Southwest.net) A unique feature of Secret Antelope Canyon is walls that gradually rise as you navigate the 450 foot length of the slot. Unlike Upper Antelope Canyon, however, “there are no chambers here; just one long, narrow canyon requiring some minor rock scrambling.” (Sedona Monthly) Unlike Lower Antelope Canyon, Secret Antelope Canyon has no stairs or ladders. The trail through the canyon is relatively flat, but is usually quite sandy, which can be difficult to walk through for those unaccustomed to such conditions. Some sections of the slot canyon are a mere 8” across. Access to Secret Antelope Canyon requires an 8-mile drive down an unpaved road, which is an adventure in and of itself, but with tour groups limited to 6-7 people at a time, you’ll feel as though you’ve been let in on Northern Arizona’s best-kept secret!
Secret Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation. A licensed tour outfitter is required to visit this area. Tours to Secret Antelope Canyon are offered by Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Adventures, and can be customized to include a visit to Horseshoe Bend via an exclusive entrance where the walk to the rim is only 200 yards vs .7 miles! For tour and pricing information, visit www.horseshoebendtours.com
Mountain Sheep Canyon*
What’s your idea of adventure? One thing’s for certain, jockeying with busloads of people in a narrow slot canyon for the perfect photo op isn’t it. You don’t mind going a little further, expending a little effort, and getting a little dirty in exchange for a more intimate and personal slot canyon experience. If this describes you, then Mountain Sheep Canyon is your kind of place!
Like Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Slot Canyon is also a part of the Antelope Canyon drainage system, but unlike Upper Antelope Canyon, it’s no leisurely 100-yard stroll. At 1.5 miles in length, this slot canyon is aptly named as it requires a fair amount of scrambling, scaling and “high-stepping with 30-40 inch climbs at times and one ladder climb of about 8 feet or so.” (A Kona Hawaii Scuba Diver Blabbers On) While that may sound a little nerve-wracking, most hikers report feeling perfectly safe, and that “a visit to Mountain Sheep Canyon is a great way to round out your slot canyon experience and add a bit of photographic diversity to your experience.” (The Outbound) Indeed, another hiker observed that “there are a few sections in the canyon that are really amazing though you won’t find those light shafts everyone seems so fond of. The patterns and textures in one spot reminded me of a mini Coyote Buttes.” (Photo.net)
Like other slot canyons in the Page, Arizona area, access to Mountain Sheep Slot Canyon requires some off-road driving and is limited to just a few people a day traveling with a licensed guide or tour company. Tours for people ages 8 and up are offered by Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, owned and operated by the Bigthumb family, who are direct descendants of the Navajo girl who first discovered Antelope Canyon in 1931. Black Streak Canyon Tours can also help you experience this one-of-a-kind Page, AZ, slot canyon, and they welcome guests of all ages. For more information, visit https://www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com or https://www.blackstreakcanyontours.com
Rattlesnake Canyon*
If we lost you at “snakes,” relax. Rattlesnake Slot Canyon is named for the serpentine pattern carved by the intermittent creek that flows through it, and the striations in the colors of the rock layers. A smaller slot canyon in the Antelope Canyon drainage system that bears resemblance to both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon has been described as having “dizzying swirls of color — purple, orange, red and hues that don’t even have a name…as though a large can of mixed paint has been hurled into the canyon by some mystical hand.” (“A Hiker’s Sample of Southwest Slot Canyons,” Los Angeles Times, May 18, 2016)
Like Lower Antelope Canyon, a TripAdvisor reviewer advises potential visitors to “be prepared to do some climbing on ladders and squeezing through tight spots.” Yet another hiker asserts that “it looks more difficult than it really is. There are some gorgeous spots in this canyon!” (A Kona Hawaii Scuba Diver Blabbers On) Another visitor reports that “after the crowds of Upper Antelope Canyon, the solitude is wonderful!” (Outdoor Project) As for the rattlesnakes, well… they’re around, but you’re not likely to encounter them on your tour. They don’t want anything to do with you, either!
Rattlesnake Canyon is also one of the slot canyons accessed exclusively by Carol Bigthumb’s Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours (https://adventurousantelopecanyon.com ages 8 and above only) or Black Streak Canyon Tours (https://www.blackstreakcanyontours.com all ages)
Owl Canyon*
“Who” is looking for a slot canyon adventure that’s “more of a hike than a photography experience?” (Lucas J. Pols Photography) You? Then you’ll love Owl Canyon!
While it doesn’t possess quite the range of colors and shapes of Antelope Canyon, Owl Canyon is still worth the trip according to many visitors who have had the privilege to venture to this remote corner of the Navajo Indian Reservation. With a wider topside opening, Owl Canyon is more exposed to the sun than its sister slot canyons, but at a few hundred yards in length, it’s relatively easy for most people to navigate. There are a few tight spots to shimmy through, but otherwise, this is one of the “less slotty” of Page area slot canyons.
Of course, the highlight of a visit to Owl Canyon is a sighting of its namesake: a family of Great Horned Owls that make their home here. Though wary by nature, they have become somewhat comfortable with people in their domain. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours, the authorized outfitter for this slot canyon, suggests a zoom lens for photographers wishing to capture the feathered residents of this memorable Antelope Canyon alternative slot canyon!
For more information on Owl Slot Canyon Tours, visit Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours (8 and above only) or Black Streak Canyon Tours (all ages).
*Owl Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon, and/or Rattlesnake Canyon may be toured individually or in various combinations, including Upper Antelope Canyon. See tour operator websites for details.
Cardiac Canyon
So far, all of the Antelope Canyon alternative slot canyons we’ve discussed have evocative and sometimes cryptic names like “Canyon X,” “Secret Canyon,” “Owl Canyon” and “Mountain Sheep Canyon.” But there’s one slot canyon whose nomenclature is literally as subtle as a heart attack: Cardiac Canyon.
Named for the 90’ sand dune that one must hike down to enter the canyon, then back up to exit, Cardiac Canyon’s name suits it to a tee. Its physical degree of difficulty is such a deterrent to the sedentary, it is thought that less than 100 people have set eyes on this slot canyon. Indeed, finding a first-hand account of a trip through Cardiac Canyon is like the proverbial “needle in a haystack” undertaking, but this hiker makes no bones about it: “this route is not for the un-athletic, or generally out of shape, as some serious scrambling and contorting, as well as chimneying up to ledges are required. The rewards are worth it, however. The narrow, convoluted walls are magic in the morning light, and the vertical waterfall face is amazing.” (HikeArizona.com)
If you think you’re up for it, you must visit Cardiac Canyon with a guide service authorized by the Navajo Indian Tribe, which in this case is Taadidiin Tours. Tours meet daily at milepost 307.8 on Highway 98 10 miles South of Page. For pricing and other information, visit www.antelopecanyon-x.com
Cathedral Canyon
Many visitors to the canyon landscapes of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah report feeling as though they have set foot on hallowed ground. They’d be right. Many slot canyons in the Page/Lake Powell area are spiritual places to the Navajo people, whose tribal lands surround these geologic formations. Cathedral Canyon is definitely at home on that list.
A secluded slot canyon located near LeChee, Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation, a visit to Cathedral Canyon requires a 20-minute drive through several river washes. The entrance to the canyon itself is quite narrow and visitors report “having to place our hands and feet on either side of the wall, which were about 4 to 5 feet apart, about 6 feet off the ground.” Your tour outfitter may opt to supply a ladder. Once in the canyon, you’ll find it “very impressive, towering nearly 100 feet over your head.” (Garth’s Travels) In addition to classic slot canyon scenery, you’ll have ample photo ops of formations such as Four Sisters, Thumb Rock, and Pucket Rock.
Tours to Cathedral Canyon are offered from Page, Arizona by Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. For more information, visit www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
So there you have it! There are all kinds of Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours ranging from easy to excruciating and everything in between. Stay tuned for information on slot canyon experiences in Page, Arizona, and the surrounding area.
General Notes:
- All the slot canyons featured in this article are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. No admittance is allowed without an authorized guide or tour company. Your tour price includes your Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee. Retain this receipt if you opt to tour other Page, AZ, slot canyons on the same day, such as Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon, Mystical Antelope Canyon, etc.
- This is a remote desert environment. There is no running water or restroom facilities at these locations. Bring water and use the toilet before your tour.
- Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes for walking. The interiors of most slot canyons remain cool year-round, so a light jacket or sweater should be brought even during the summer months. Masks or face coverings may be required at any time to minimize/negate possible exposure or transmission of COVID-19 and other contagious illnesses.
- Backpacks, camera bags and purses may be prohibited in some slot canyons. Carry important items like ID’s, cash, etc., in pockets.
- Advance reservations are strongly advised for all Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.
- Gratuities are appreciated.
154 Responses
My friend and I are visiting Arizona in mid March, staying for a day in Page. We plan to do the lower antelope canyon around 10 am on the 17th of March and possibly another short slot canyon before we off to the South rim of Grand Canyon. Can you recommend one (possibly X canyon or horse shoe canyon?) for us? We are in 50s and feel like the lower antelope may not be enough to experience the slot canyon but wonder if its worth to try another canyon due to time constraint as we dont want to drive too late to the grand canyon. Thanks much
Hi Helen and thanks for stopping by today.
It’s not really necessary to do more than one slot canyon ground tour in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. Indeed, it might seem redundant. I’m assuming you plan to hit Horseshoe Bend at some point on your trip, but if you do have more time to work with, I’d recommend a tour that gives you a different perspective on the area, such as a Lake Powell boat tour, float trip on the Colorado River, perhaps an airplane or helicopter tour.
Air tours are best done in the morning for better light and less wind. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon and sunset is at about 5:30 PM in March, so plan your day accordingly.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley
Our group of 10 people want to book a tour to canyon x. We are driving from las vegas to the tour place and got a tour time of 1:00 pm. On december 28. Just want to ask is that a good time of the day to hike, consider the light. And how difficult it is as our youngest member is a 10 years old
Thanks
Hi Tina and thank you for visiting our site.
On December 28th, temperatures will be on the cooler side, but the light should be sufficient to enjoy Antelope Canyon X fully. Keep in mind that during the winter months, Nevada is on Pacific Standard Time and Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time, so Page is one hour “ahead” of Las Vegas. Be sure to time your drive accordingly.
As for difficulty of the hike, improvements to the entrance to the canyon made in recent years have made it a lot more manageable for tourists. If your 10-year-old is reasonably fit and has no mobility issues, he/she should be able to handle it without a problem.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at AntelopeCanyon.AZ!
Alley 🙂
Enjoy reading the information you provide. Thank you. My wife and I just returned back after kayaking Antelope Canyon , then taking the Lower tour as we’ve done on a number of occasions. I was advised by a visitor to our center
( Springdale Visitor Center) just outside of Zion Nat’l Park about a Slot canyon on native property , just North of Page and you don’t require a tour. You do need a paid permit receipt though. On our way back , I was searching for signage , but no luck. Wracking my brain for the name of it and just can’t. She said you don’t have to go in a long ways , but the canyon can be as long as 16 miles…. it had a catchy name and I did look it up on Google while we were talking… dang it all !
Ring any bells for you ?
Thanks.
Sam- Hurricane,UT
Hi Sam,
Boy, I, too am stumped here…
Native American Tribal Lands belonging to the Navajo Tribe are actually situated just Southeast of Page. Water Holes Canyon is a famous slot canyon that doesn’t require a tour per se, but does require a tribal permit to enter. Some deeper sections of this canyon require rappelling. The Navajo reservation has many slot canyons that have been closed to the public for going on 20 years due to problems such as vandalism, littering, etc. These include, but aren’t limited to, Butterfly Canyon, Starting Water Wash and Kaibeto Creek.
Just North of Page, the terrain tends to be part of either Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell), Bureau of Land Management, or Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument.
Buckskin Gulch is a very long slot canyon, with a shorter bypass possible via Wire Pass Canyon. This canyon has a sign-in station on-site where you pay your entrance fee via an “honor system.”
Hope that has helped! Apologies if it hasn’t.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂
Our family of 4 (almost 5 and 10 yr old boys) + 69 year old grandma are planning to go during Thanksgiving week. I was thinking of both the upper and lower antelope canyons and also Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Is that too much for 2 days? When would be the best times to book the tours for each one?
Hi Viv and thanks for stopping by!
With the traveling party you describe, especially a 5-year-old, I do believe that doing Lower and Upper Antelope and Horseshoe Bend Slot will be too much. Even the older members of the party might find themselves getting “canyon’ed out.” If all of you are in relatively good health and are OK with climbing a few stairs and doing some light boulder scrambling, I would pick Lower Antelope Canyon and call it “good” as far as slot canyons go. If anyone in the party has mobility issues, then go with Upper. In either case, the best time to book a tour would be mid-day for best light.
Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty more fun things to do in the Page, AZ area to fill up the two days you have. For more suggestions, check out The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ.
Since you’re visiting during what’s referred to as “shoulder season,” be prepared for cooler temperatures and fewer people, but also be prepared for a few activities to not be running. Mainly, boat tours and airplane and helicopter tours (read: high-ticket items) may either be suspended altogether, or require a certain number of passengers and favorable weather to guarantee operation. This should in no way, though, negatively affect your enjoyment of this area.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello. I have read many of the questions/answers here and I have learned many things. I am planning to be in Page at the end of March. I would like to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Is it possible to do it in one day ? is there a combo (package) if we want to do both? what is the best website to reserve our visit ? Should I do it now (7 months ahead to be sure I have a spot)?
I was told that Lower Canyon can be a little difficult for someone who is not comfortable in tight space ( claustrophobia), can it be a problem ?
If later during that week I visit Monument Valley , the fee payed for the Navajo Tribal Park would be already done ( is it good for one week) because we need to pay it when we visit Antelope Canyon ?
thank you so much for helping me making sure my planning goes well.
Dear France Fehr,
Thank you for visiting our site, we’re glad you’re finding it helpful in planning your visit to Page, AZ!
On to your questions:
1. Is it possible to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day? Is there a combo (package) if we want to do both? Yes, you can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day! Unfortunately, no tour company yet offers a package tour to both. What we would suggest you do is tour the branches of Antelope Canyon with the tour companies who operate directly at the canyon’s entrance on Highway 98. For Upper Antelope Canyon, that would be Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; for Lower, you can choose from Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours or Dixie Ellis Antelope Lower Canyon tours.
2. I was told that Lower Canyon can be a little difficult for someone who is not comfortable in tight space (claustrophobia), can it be a problem? Not knowing the severity of your claustrophobia, it’s difficult to make an accurate judgement. Have people had problems? Yes, but not often. In order to gauge whether you might have difficulties in Lower Antelope Canyon, watch this video that depicts a full walk-through.
3. If later during that week I visit Monument Valley, the fee paid for the Navajo Tribal Park would be already done? That is correct, so be sure to retain your receipt after your Antelope Canyon tour.
Another suggestion: be sure to make all your reservations for your trip well in advance, hotels, tours, everything.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi. I have found this site really useful! Thanks for all the info!
I understand that tours to Antelope are crowded and I need reservations well in advance. I plan to visit Page in February 9, next year. I am driving from Sedona and what is the weather like? And do you think there will be a pack of people as usual in February?
I saw a TV program in Japan last August about Secret Canyon, and it said the tour was operated by Slot Caynon Hummer Adventures ONLY. I sent an email but I haven’t heard from them. I also tried to reach by phone, and it has been disconnected. I guess they are not in business any more. Do you know what happend to them?
Thanks to this website, the tour operator to Secret Cantyon now seems Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Adventures. In February, their Slot Canyon PLUS Horseshoe Bend Overlook tours are offered at 7:45 am and 2:45 pm. Which one would you recommend?
I appreciate your help and tips!
Thanks again,
Kosaku
Dear Mr. Kosaku,
Thank you so much for your compliments on our site!
You are correct in that Antelope Canyon is usually very crowded. However, since your visit is taking place in February, you might not find it so. February is considered shoulder-season; cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain and snow tend to keep a lot of people away, so you could be fortunate enough to travel with a smaller group, or just your party! We still recommend making reservations in advance just to be safe.
The drive from Sedona to Page AZ takes about 3 hours driving direct, however, you might find yourself wanting to stop at Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post and several scenic overlooks and Native kiosks where jewelry and curios are sold.
You are correct in the Slot Canyon Hummer Adventures is no longer in business. The owner was simply ready to move on to other things. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours is now the authorized concessionaire for Secret Canyon, which is now going by the name “Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon” due to its proximity to the overlook. During the month of February, I’d recommend the later tour as mornings are quite chilly, plus the light might be better in the afternoon.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit to Arizona!
Alley 🙂
Thanks Alley! Your website is a real life-saver and informative too. I’m from Singapore and I’m afraid I booked a little too late so didn’t get a good time slot and from what I hear of the crowds, I felt like I had little choice but to get ready for a wonderfully awful experience. Finding the options and tour operators on your site got my adrenaline pumping as I am bringing my sister and daughter and want to give them the best experience possible. Hope to meet you in person and thank you face-to-face. Thanks again.
Hi Michael, and thank you for your compliments on our site! We hope you have a wonderful visit to Page, AZ and that you enjoy whichever slot canyon you decide to tour. Be sure to post a review on TripAdvisor, Yelp or whatever consumer review site you prefer to use so the tour company can know how they did, and future travelers to the area can collect recommendations for their trips.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi there!
We will be in Page for two full days on October 13th and October 14th 2017 and would like to see at least one of the slot canyons during our stay. As we are not very fond of large crowds but don’t want to spend a fortune on our tour either, we were thinking about taking the Canyon X tour. We were wondering though, what would be the best time of the day to visit Canyon X? Hope you’ll be able to help us with that. Thanks!
Franziska
Hi Franziska!
October is a wonderful time to be here, you’ll have a great time. Good call on the Canyon X tour, too. Mid-day is generally regarded as the best time of day to view slot canyons, and Canyon X is no exception. Thought the “light beam” phenomenon won’t occur, the canyon will be well-illuminated for photos.
In addition to thinning crowds in the Page area, October is marked by cooler temperatures, and the interiors of slot canyons tends to be cooler than the outside area, so you’ll probably want to bring a sweater or light jacket.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
Thank you for your info. I AM making a flying visit with a friend in early march next year. It sounds like even then Antelope canyon will be very busy. And sadly we are due to be there for a Saturday. Of all the ones you list which would you say is the best one to see. We are both up for some fairly strenuous visits – especially if it means no crowds. Cardiac canyon sounds like a good one! Happy to d a couple of excursions before moving on. Any help gratefully received.
Look forward to hearing from you.
James.
Hi James, and thanks for your visit.
Antelope Canyon’s popularity has certainly grown, so I wouldn’t be surprised if tours are already filling up for next March. But, the fact that you’re planning your visit well in advance will work in your favor! As to which slot canyon is the best one, well… that’s a hard question to answer!
Seeing as though you are up for something fairly challenging, Cardiac Canyon would certainly fulfill your desire for adventure, and beautiful scenery, including a waterfall. For Cardiac Canyon Tours, visit https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/tours.html
You might also consider Mountain Sheep Canyon, which has been compared to a “mini Coyote Buttes” and does require some creative scrambling. https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/Mountain.asp
Another player on the slot canyon scene not mentioned in this article since they are relatively new is Ligai Si’Anii Tours. They tour some beautiful slot canyons called Wind Pebble, Ram’s Head and Ligai Si’Anii Canyon. Ligai Si’Anii is said to be quite challenging also. For information on these visit http://www.hikingslotcanyons.com
Hope that helps – safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
thank you for listing these alternative tours.
We have already booked the Lower Antelope Canyon for July 20th. Now I am thinking of either:
– doing Canyon X additionally
– cancelling Lower Antelope and visiting Canyon X only
– cancelling Lower Antelope and visiting Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon only
What would be your personal preference?
I would be glad to receive your comment.
Kind regards from Germany,
Astrid
Hi Astrid,
Thanks for stopping by and reading our piece on Antelope Canyon Alternative tours!
Regarding your plans, I don’t think you’d be disappointed whichever course of action you decided to take, but doing more than one slot canyon isn’t 100% necessary in order to get the most out of your trip. If you would prefer not to contend with large crowds, though, cancelling Lower Antelope and touring one of the alternates would definitely be worth considering.
If the “physicality” of Lower Antelope is what appeals to you about it, Antelope Canyon X would make a good alternative as it does require navigating some downhill/uphill grades, and a few ladders. If that aspect of it was something you could do without, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon is relatively flat with a few tight spots to squeeze through.
As for how to round out your time, you might consider the Colorado River Discovery Half Day Float Trip, or a short boat tour on Lake Powell.
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful trip!
Remember to drink plenty of water. That time of year is hot.
Alley 🙂