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
Just a big Thank You for such helpful, comprehensive information! Great job!
Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge our efforts! Have a wonderful vacation,
Alley 🙂
We are planning to visit early April 2019. We arrive in Phoenix on 4/5 and head to Sedona for the day and evening. On 4/6, we travel to Page. We travel to Monument Valley on 4/7 and Grand Canyon on 4/8 and 4/9. We head back home on 4/10. I have already booked a number of tours (Combo Slot Bend and Overlook, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon). The last tour to be booked is the Canyon X tour. I am trying to determine if the hiking tour is sufficient for photographs or if we need to book the photography tour. Any insight you have would be appreciated.
Hi Rosemary,
If you’ve already booked the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon/Overlook combo tour, IMO it’s not necessary to book Canyon X in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you would like to see it, and do so with your family, you should probably stick to the general sightseeing tour. The photography tour is just that: a tour expressly for photographers. That means that a good chunk of time will be spent setting up shots, etc. Another drawback is that the tour duration could run anywhere from 2-3 hours, so if you have any time-sensitive plans immediately afterward, the two activities might overlap. The sightseeing tour is sufficient for taking good photos. The guides know where all the good spots are, and can share tips on how to set up your camera. That goes for most of the tour companies and slot canyons.
One observation: you haven’t scheduled enough time in Sedona. Most people would suggest you stay 3 days minimum, but can spend a week and still feel as though you only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” If possible, I’d recommend dropping 1 night at the Grand Canyon, since you’ll see a good chunk of it on the drive over from Page, and give a 2nd night to Sedona.
Hope that helps – good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂
I forgot to add we will be there April 20th, 2019
Hi! We are 2 couples late 20s early 30s. All very active and in shape (but not professional hikers). We have one day to spend in the Page area. We are looking for the best views and little crowds, an adventure is a great plus. We want to take neat photos and see an awesome Canyon. What do you recommend? The cost does not matter.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer!
So, when you say you are “in shape,” do you mean really good shape? If so, there’s a neat slot canyon in this area that might have your name on it: Cardiac Canyon. As the name suggests, it’s not for the sedentary or out of shape. As a result, only 7-14 people per day is the typical visitation to this canyon. For more information on tours, rates, etc., visit Ta’adidi’in Tours.
If that sounds like it would be a little “much,” Mountain Sheep Canyon might be more your speed. It involves managing a few ladders and some simple climbing, but is one of the more private slot canyon experiences in Page, AZ. The tour company that manages it is Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours.
One of my personal favorite slot canyons in the area is Cathedral Canyon. While not super-hard physically, it is a lovely canyon with a few geological features that are unique to it. Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours handles tours to Cathedral exclusively.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Would the upper and lower Antelope Canyon tours be as crowded on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd also. We do want to soak in the beauty but not at the cost of overly crowded areas where we are not able to enjoy the beauty. We are not very athletic and consider ourselves in decent shape. If Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon does not work out, we will look at Canyon X but we looked the not so strenuous hike of the Upper and think we can manage the ladders and climbs of the lower canyon.
Dear Nikhil,
Hello and thanks for asking a great question!
The Thanksgiving holiday falls within the period considered “shoulder season.” While things are not as crowded as they are during the summer months, they will still be busy. Whichever branch of Antelope Canyon or alternate slot canyon you choose to tour, advance reservations should still be made. How To Book An Antelope Canyon Tour Ditto for hotels in Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello, we are planning to be in Page, AZ on December 22nd and 23rd. Wondering if it is crowded in the upper/lower antelope canyons during that time. Would you suggest Upper, X, lower or horseshoe bend canyon tour during that time. Looking for less crowded options with best views. Also, any idea on weather in the canyons during late December.
Hello Satya,
December is a great time to be here. While crowds won’t be as overwhelming as they are in summertime, it will still be busy at the time you’re here seeing as though it’s close to the Christmas holiday. As to which slot canyon you should tour, it depends on how much hiking you’re willing to do – or not do. If you’re OK with managing a few ladders and stepping over a few boulders, then you should be fine in Antelope X or Lower Antelope Canyon. If you’d prefer a smaller tour group, then Antelope X would be the way to go. If anyone in your party has mobility issues, or you’re traveling with very young children, Upper would be the better choice as it’s only 100 yards long and the trail through it is flat.
As for weather, it will be on the cooler side, so make sure everyone has at least a coat and gloves, and maybe even scarf and hat for optimal comfort.
Best wishes for safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hi!
Thank you for sharing so much information and for being such a resource.
My husband and I are taking a two week trip, starting October 7th from Las Vegas (first the North Rim for 2 nights / arriving Page on October 10th for 2 nights / Monument Valley, 1 night / Torrey, 2 nights / Bryce, 1-2 nights and Zion – 3-4 nights.
While we are in Page, we will do the Canyon X photo tour on October 10th and a boat trip on October 11th (or visa versa).
I have three questions:
Any thoughts about doing the 10:30 am vs 1:00 pm photo tour, in terms of the light?
Is mid October too cool for the boat tour? Which do you recommend?
Thank you so much!
Hi again, Pam! 😉
I’m glad to know more about your overall trip plan, and that you’re planning on spending a good deal of time in this area at the best time of year.
As I’d indicated in my reply to your other post, it’s “six-of-one/half-a-dozen of the other” with regard to the 10.30 AM or 1.00 PM departure of the Canyon X tour. Either one would be fine. For boat tours, October remains a pleasant month for these types of activities — usually. The two most popular water-based activities are the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip and the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is the longer of the two, lasting ~7 hours, and, depending on lake water levels, requiring anywhere from a 2-3 mile round-trip hike to see the bridge. The Glen Canyon Float Trip lasts ~4 hours, with a short optional hike to see a petroglyph panel. The boats used for the Rainbow Bridge Tour have both enclosed and open-air sections, while the rafts on the Glen Canyon trip are completely open and exposed to the elements. Again, October is usually a fairly stable month weather-wise, marked by mostly sunny days with pleasant temperatures on the rim, and somewhat balmier temps on the water. Still, you never know what nature has in store at this point, so start monitoring Page, AZ weather about 2 weeks before you’re ready to leave.
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card gets you into all the National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only places it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon) and State Parks, but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Purchase it at the first National Park you hit on your tour.
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for this information. My question is about Cardiac Canyon. From your list I’m very interested in this for my family (15 and 12 year old boys). This sounds like a great way to combine the scenery with an active adventure. But I do notice that the tour is 4-6 hours, significantly longer than many of the other tours. What are your thoughts on spending this amount of time to visit one slot canyon. Do you know if the length of time for this tour is more about the ride out and back or about the physical nature of the climb? We love to combine a good workout with our sightseeing as long as its worth the extra effort. What do you think? It is truly unique?
Thanks,
Ali
Hi Ali, and thank you for a great question!
The ride out to the entrance of Cardiac Canyon from the tour’s origination point (Milepost 307.8 on US98) is 7 miles one way. So the transit aspect only takes up a small part of your touring time. The rest is about the physicality of the canyon. If you like a good workout, you’re definitely going to get one on this tour! As to whether it’s truly unique, that would have to be a resounding “yes.” Access to Cardiac Canyon is limited to begin with, and up until recently, it was thought that less than 100 people had ever seen it, and the majority of those were Navajo. For a good look at what you and your family can expect, take a look at this video: Knowhere With Frank Lee Ruggles
Whatever you decide, be sure you make reservations for any slot canyon tour in Page, AZ well in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
We’re getting up to Page late on a Monday night in September and are considering doing two slot canyon tours the next day. Do you think it is feasible to do an Antelope X tour in the morning and a Cathedral Canyon tour in the afternoon? Would we have to drive in between or are they walking distance from each other and what do you think about this approach?
We would plan to do a Kayak tour the next morning and see Horseshoe bend in the afternoon.
Thanks so much!
Danny
Dear Danny,
It is indeed feasible to tour both Antelope X and Cathedral Canyon the same day, however, they are not walking distance from one another. Antelope Canyon X tours begin near the tribal park entrance on US98 just South of Page; Cathedral Slot Canyon is located near LeChee, AZ, but the tour outfitter begins all tours at their headquarters, Chief Tsosie’s Trading Post, in the town of Page, AZ. So there would be some driving required between tours, but since Page, AZ is a relatively small town, it would be 10 minutes tops.
RE: your plan for the following day, time permitting, you might visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, just after sunrise, to avoid the heat, crowds and parking snarls that typically affect the overlook in the afternoon.
Good luck and safe travels
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley,
The information you are sharing is certainly valuable considering time changes, multiple canyon choices, and photography timing. Like most, I have to make a choice of which slot canyon to photograph because of time constraints. We will be heading to Page from the north rim the morning of Sept 18. I actually cancelled a tour in Antelope Canyon due to all the negative info I was reading about crowds. I am looking at either Canyon X Photography tour or Horseshoe Bend Canyon tour. I am a photographer and would just like a little help in picking. Thanks so very much for your input.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Thank you for visiting our site, and for your compliments!
If crowds aren’t your thing, you’ve definitely made a good call in cancelling Antelope Canyon, and after all’s said and done, you certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with either alternate slot canyon. IMO the primary determining factor in which one you choose will come down to physicality. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon is a flat, easy 300 yard walk, with no stairs or ladders. It does involve a 6-7 mile off-road drive to get to, which may be a bit bumpy, but once in the canyon, it’s easy navigating. Antelope X is a bit more challenging, requiring some stair and ladder climbing, but between the two, you’d probably find X to bear more of a resemblance visually to the main branches of Antelope Canyon.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a film is worth a million, and you will find videos of both tours on the tour companies’ respective websites (linked above).
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Is canyon x the friendlier option for families as an alternative?
Hi Danette,
It is definitely worth consideration as an alternative to Lower Antelope Canyon, especially if all members of your traveling party are reasonably fit and can manage a few uphill climbs and stepping over a few boulders. Since the article was written, the tour outfitter has installed some ladders and staircases to make those portions of the canyon easier on guests, plus, with smaller groups, they have the flexibility to take things at your pace and not rush you through it. For more information, and to view a video walk-through, visit http://www.AntelopeCanyon-X.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂