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
Hi Alley,
Thanks for the great information. I have a question regarding my upcoming visit to Page on July 2-3. I can make it to only one slot canyon due to limited time and here are my options.
1. Upper – – 4:30 pm (July 2); 6:00 am (July 3)
2. Lower – 3:30 pm and later (July 2); 6:15 am (July 3)
3. Canyon X – July 3; as of now all time slots are available.
I am not sure which would be the best canyon and time to visit. Any suggestion would be helpful! Thank you!
Hi Saptaparni,
If you only have time to tour one slot canyon, and are physically fit enough to handle the moderate challenges posed by Lower Antelope Canyon, that’s the one I recommend you tour for the truly “iconic” slot canyon scenery. Since the time of year you’re traveling is peak of summer — both visitation- and heat-wise — I’d also suggest going on that 6:15 AM departure on the morning of July 3rd. Temperatures both outside and inside the canyon will be cooler and more comfortable. If Lower is too much for you or any of your party to handle, then, Upper it is, and here again, the 6:00AM departure will afford your family maximum comfort. To judge whether Lower Antelope Canyon is doable for you, watch this video of a Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Thank you for your visit and best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Thank you Alley. The link to the video is really wonderful and will definitely help us decide whether to visit the lower or upper canyon. Just another question, will the colors in early morning be as beautiful as they are later on in the day? Or would an evening trip be better to see colors? Also, do all the canyons follow MST?
Dear Saptaparni,
The colors in the morning are deeper and richer than what you’d encounter in the afternoons, but they are still just as beautiful. There’s really no such thing as a “bad” time to visit any of our slot canyons. And you are correct, slot canyon tours run on Page, AZ time, which is Mountain Standard Time.
Have fun!
Alley 🙂
Hello! Thank you for all of the helpful information that you’ve provided! Our family will be traveling to AZ in early September with our kids, ages 14 and 10. We are thinking of signing up with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours for their tour of Upper Antelope and Rattlesnake Canyons. So, I have a couple of questions —
First, are these canyons different enough to warrant the cost of touring both? And would they be too strenuous for my kids? They’re in good health, but I’ve read about a lot of climbing with regard to Rattlesnack……not sure if this is accurate or not.
Second, I worry about flooding. Will the first week of September still be monsoon season? I read your comment to someone else about trying to go early, but we will be driving from Flagstaff that morning. There are two tours: 9:30am and 2:30pm. With needing to arrive an hour early, I’m concerned about making it there in time, especially because we aren’t familiar with the area. Do you think we’d possibly miss seeing the canyons because of bad weather if we schedule the 2:30pm tour?
I really appreciate any insight you can provide. Thank you!
Hi Chrys, and thank you for your excellent questions.
Upper Antelope Canyon and Rattlesnake Canyons are different enough so that you won’t feel as though you’re doing more of the same-old same-old. As for the climbing involved, it’s manageable for most people in relatively good health. Your kids should enjoy it.
The concerns about flash flooding in early September are valid. It’s too early to tell what this year’s monsoon season has in store, of course, but keep an eye on the weather as your trip date gets closer. If it turns out to be a heavy monsoon season, the 2:30 PM tour does run a higher risk of cancellation if storms do occur. To be on the safe side, you might just want to get the kids up early and make the drive from Flagstaff — which is a pretty straightforward drive IF you can resist the urge to stop — at 6:00 AM. Another option would be to overnight in Page, AZ the night prior to your trip. The town offers both traditional hotels and vacation rental homes in a variety of price points and amenity classes. Page, Arizona hotels
Hope that helps. I know it’s a tough choice 😉
Alley
Thanks for the nice summaries of alternative slot canyons. For Canyon X is there any “best time of day” to go? We will be in the area area around June1st. Also, we wanted to be more adventurous, such as rappelling into slot canyons or similar, I was told about a company Seldom Seen Adventures. However, not sure if they still exist (based out of Kanab). If not them, do you know of any similar outfit that might offer a bit more challenging hike/tour?
Hi Jeff and thanks for your excellent question.
In general, mid-day is regarded as the best time to visit slot canyons because they are best illuminated when the sun is as close to directly overhead as possible. However, there’s no such thing as a “bad” time to go, as different times of day all have their advantages. The colors of the canyon walls will be deeper and richer in the earlier morning hours and later in the afternoon. Long story short, go when it suits you, there’s little chance you’ll be disappointed. 😉
As for Seldom Seen Adventures, they are no longer in business, unfortunately. Another tour company in Kanab, UT you might consider is Dreamland Safari Tours. I don’t see that any of their trip offerings specifically advertise a rappelling component, but they may be able to customize something for you. You might also check out the Zion Ponderosa Ranch. They do offer canyoneering trips for all experience levels.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Remember that Utah is on a different time zone than Arizona — they DO observe Daylight Saving Time, whilst Arizona DOES NOT, so you’ll “lose” an hour going from Page to Kanab.
Hi Alley,
Thank you for all the information you share on this website. The best part is that you take your time to respond to all questions being sent through this website!!! It is much appreciated.
We are planning a trip to do the Grand Circle Tour for 2 weeks (from LV, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef Nat’l Park, Moab, Page, Jacob Lake (to visit the GC North Rim), Grand Canyon South Rim and back to LV) to start in the beginning of September.
From Moab we will drive to Page through Monument Valley. We will stay overnight in Page, AZ and visit one of the slot canyons and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook the following day. Then we continue on to Jacob Lake to stay for the night.
There are 6 of us in our group ages 51-67. We plan to go to the Horseshoe Bend overlook in the morning to take pictures and then visit one of the slot canyons after. Which slot canyon would be a better option for us? We plan to reserve a slot for the Lower Antelope Slot Canyon but reading your website, I might suggest to our group the alternate canyons such as the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, as well as the Water Hole Slot Canyon, are they one and the same? We thought this will be closer to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and save us time driving around from one place to the other.
Thank you in advance for reading and responding to my questions.
Regards,
Gina
Hi Gina, thanks for visiting our site, and your nice compliments!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and September is a great time to be here. It’s especially cool that you’ll get to see the North and South Rim!
The drive from Moab to Page, AZ takes about 5 hours, if you go direct, which rarely happens. Goosenecks of the San Juan is a worthwhile stop, as is the Navajo Code Talkers Exhibit inside the Burger King in Kayenta, AZ. Still, with an early enough start, you might be able to hit Lower Antelope Canyon prior to arrival in Page, seeing as though it’s right on your way (map).
That’s IF you don’t have your heart set on seeing it mid-day light. Later afternoon tours still offer good conditions for touring, even though it’s still going to be crowded at that time of year. Bear in mind that Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, while Page doesn’t, so you’ll “gain” an hour passing from the reservation into Page. Antelope Canyon Tours run on Page, AZ time.How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
If the crowds are truly something you want to avoid, as well as a lot of unnecessary driving, then you might indeed consider touring Horseshoe Bend Overlook and Slot Canyon the next morning. As for doing Waterholes as well, that might seem a bit redundant as both Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon and Waterholes are part of the same drainage system. Waterholes, at the present time, simply requires that you get a Navajo Tribal Park Permit to tour, which you can get at the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance (which you’ll pass on the way in from Monument Valley). I’d recommend choosing one or the other, then heading to Jacob Lake, a drive which takes about 90 minutes direct, but again, it rarely happens as you’ll find lots to see and photograph on your way there. That’s both the blessing and the curse of driving in this area.
When you get to Jacob Lake, be sure to get some of their home-made cookies, they’re awesome 🙂
Have a wonderful time!
Alley
P.S. Be sure to have the member(s) of your party who are 62+ get a Senior Lifetime Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card gets you into all National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time. It would not work for Native American Tribal attractions like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, but it would still be worth purchasing for this trip.
Hi Alley,
Thanks for responding to my questions and all the tips!!! I will write all of these down and discuss with our group!
You’re the best!!!
Gina
First, THANK YOU for taking the time to answer all these people. An excellent Navajo museum is at Tuba City, just “down the road” on Hwy 160 in your map above. Well worth the time to visit, if really interested in Navajo lore.
Hey Charlie,
The Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit is indeed a very educational and easy stop to make for families traveling to or from Monument Valley! In fact, we highly recommend it on our weeklong itinerary, “The Grand Canyon And Beyond: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern AZ & Southern UT.”
Thank you for visiting!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Hope this isn’t too redundant of a question, because i do see that you have suggested several times that touring more than one slot canyon is not necessary, but would lower Antelope Canyon and Canyon X be different enough to make it worth it? (A lot of sites say Upper and Lower are different enough that one should do both if able.) We aren’t there for that long but could definitely fit this in. We are also going to do a visit to Horseshoe Bend and maybe kayak Lone Rock Canyon.
Thank you!!
Julie
Hi Julie,
No such thing as “too redundant” a question in this business 😉
That said, if you have the time and inclination to tour a couple of slot canyons, Lower and Antelope X do bear enough of a resemblance to one another that you might consider the experience, to coin a phrase, “too redudant.” If you’re looking for a second slot canyon to tour, I would recommend Cathedral Slot Canyon. It is a “rugged, yet simple hike” (with a few challenging bits), which, like Antelope X, is conducted with smaller groups, but also has some interesting “bonus features” you won’t find in other slot canyons in the Page, AZ, or anywhere else for that matter!
For more information visit Cathedral Slot Canyon Tours or call 928-645-5594.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello,
Thank you for your very interesting article about the wonderful canyons around Page. We are a french family with two children (14 and 11 years old) and we wish to visit canyons but away from the Antelope Canyon’s crowd. We hesitate between canyons and wish to have your opinion:
– Secret Canyon + Canyon X
or
– Rattlesnake Canyon + Owl Canyon + Mountain Sheep Canyon
What are the most impressive, the most colorful ?
Thank you for your reply.
Have a good day.
Valérie.
Hi Valerie and thank you for visiting our site today.
You’ve made a good call on staying away from the crowds of Antelope Canyon. As for touring multiple slot canyons, it’s not 100% necessary to do that in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. In terms of colors, though, Canyon X (aka Antelope Canyon X) is widely considered to be the most impressive of the lot, which isn’t surprising, considering that it’s just a different drainage of Antelope Creek, the same creek that flows through Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons.
For reservations for Antelope Canyon X, contact Taadidiin Tours.
Other slot canyons you might consider touring, which aren’t listed in this article, are Ram’s Head, Wind Pebble or Ligai Si’Anii Canyons, which are managed by Ligai Si’Anii Tours.
While you’re in the area, be sure to visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook and maybe enjoy a half-day float trip through Glen Canyon! 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona
For more valuable tips and information, visit our sister site, http://www.HorseshoeBend.com
Have a great day, and an even better trip!
Alley 🙂
Hi. We’d like to book some alternative tours for tomorrow on Tuesday morning. Who should we call?
Hello Kristin,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. Contact information for tour outfitters is provided in this article.
Alley 🙂
Hi – thanks for the great information! We are planning a trip for August 2018, myself, my husband, 17 and 15 year old boys, and will only be in Page for one day. I was going to book a tour of lower Antelope Canyon, but then found information about Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours. In your opinion, will we see the same features of the slot canyon if we choose to kayak rather than do the walking tour? Will we miss out on anything (besides the crowds) if we kayak? Thanks! Leanne
Hi Leanne and thank you for your excellent question.
The kayak tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside is not intended to be a “substitute” for the landside tour. On the landside tour, you’ll see the iconic slot canyon scenery that you’re expecting to see. The kayak tour will give you a greater appreciation for the length and complexity of Antelope Canyon as it relates to Lake Powell (an intermittent creek that drains into it), but the scenery and experience is quite different.
If possible, try and do both. If you can’t, stick to the walking tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. That’s the one that will give you the “picture postcard” views you’re expecting to see of Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps and that you have a great trip.
Alley 🙂
P.S. Please keep in mind that August is monsoon season in Page, AZ, which means thunderstorms routinely roll in during the afternoon hours that sometimes necessitate cancellation of Antelope Canyon tours. Try and schedule any slot canyon activities for the morning hours.
Wow! This site is getting me very excited about our trip to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon in September. A friend told me about a raft trip near or through Antelope Canyon. Do you know of any such trip? I have not been able to find anything like this in my searches. Thank you. Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Glad to hear you’re excited for your upcoming trip! September is a great time to be here. There aren’t any “raft” trips in/near Antelope Canyon, but there are water-based activities centered around it, namely boat tours and kayak tours.
Boat tours are offered by both Antelope Point Marina and Lake Powell Resort and Marina. Who you choose to go with would probably come down to convenience, for example, if you do a landside tour of Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, you can simply drive down to Antelope Point Marina afterward. If you opt to return to the town of Page after touring Antelope Canyon, then Lake Powell Resort would be the closer place from which to take a boat tour.
Kayak tours are offered by several vendors, but we are partial to Hidden Canyon Kayak, not only for their diverse range of tours, but for their excellent safety and service record. They offer a tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside that takes advantage of cooler morning temperatures and calmer waters. Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful time and be sure to make advance reservations for hotels and any tours you wish to take part in.
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Your site has been my go-to resource for my upcoming trip at the end of this month and I want to thank you for the helpful information. I also wanted to ask you a bit more about Waterholes Canyon? I’m planning to do an engagement shoot in Page and was debating between Canyon X and Waterholes Canyon. I know Canyon X would be better in terms of crowds, but Waterholes Canyon seems like it would be a good option also since it does not require a tour and therefore we would not be restricted for time. I’d love to find out what you know about Waterholes Canyon in terms of accessibility and any other important information.
Thank you in advance!
Hello Ellen and thank you for your compliments! Congratulations on your engagement. Hope you’re looking forward to your photo shoot.
Waterholes Canyon, like the majority of slot canyons in Page, AZ, is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, therefore, a tribal park permit is required to visit it. These can usually be obtained at the Tribal Park Entrance gate at Antelope Canyon on US98, or at Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours office in Page, AZ. For more really good information on Waterholes Canyon, visit https://www.thewave.info/WaterholesCode/Map.html
Be prepared to dress warmly. Otherwise, good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂