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
This website has been most helpful! I am looking for some more details. We are travelling to Sedona in a couple of weeks and I’m trying to fit in Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon if possible. We arrive in Phoenix around 11 am on Friday morning and are driving directly to the Grand Canyon. Will likely want to make a lunch stop along the way…not sure where. We are staying overnight in the park and will do a morning bike ride before we head to Sedona for Saturday evening. We’ll likely explore Sedona on Sunday maybe a jeep ride, or spend some time at the red rock slide park. Maybe Monday would be a good day to venture out to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I know that there are 1 day tours that we can with a round trip to Sedona. Should I book one of those (we are a family of 5) or since we have a car, would we be better off getting there ourselves and picking up a guided tour once we arrive? Is this even possible? Any suggestions would be welcomed. We are staying in Sedona until Wed morning when we will head back to Phoenix to fly out in the late afternoon on Wed.
Hi G,
Right now, your trip plan isn’t as efficient as it could be. It involves a bit of back-tracking, which is best avoided for obvious reasons. As for touring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, self-driving will give you the most freedom and flexibility, and give you the option of bundling your hiking tour with a boat tour or perhaps a tour of the Navajo Village Heritage Center. I don’t know if it’s possible to change your hotel reservations, but if it is, I’d recommend doing this:
Friday: Drive directly from Phoenix to Page, AZ (~5-6 hours), lunch stop in Flagstaff, AZ, overnight in Page.
Saturday: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, 2nd night in Page. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for all Antelope Canyon tours
Sunday: Drive from Page to Grand Canyon (~3 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
Monday: Bike ride at Grand Canyon, drive from Grand Canyon to Sedona (~3 hours), stay in Sedona until Wednesday
If Grand Canyon hotel or Antelope Canyon tour availability doesn’t cooperate, you could flip-flop this itinerary, hitting Sedona first, then the Grand Canyon, then Page before heading back to Phoenix. The only disadvantage to this would be that the longest drive of the trip would come at the end of your trip instead of at the beginning.
Anyway, hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Dear Alley,
I really appreciate all your detailed responses to all the questions. I have planned most of my trip based on your recommendations.
We (party of three, including a 74 years old) are planning to do a 6 days self- drive tour from Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page (2 nights)-Zion-Las Vegas in early July. For the three days, two nights stay at Page, I have booked the Tower Butte Helicoper tour on the first day in the afternoon, the upper canyon and boat tour on the 2nd day early in the morning. Can you recommend another canyon or other activities that do not require too much hiking/walking for us to visit on the 2nd day afternoon and 3rd day morning? Much appreciated.
Ivy
Hi Ivy!
Your itinerary as it stands looks pretty fun, especially the Tower Butte Helicopter tour. I’m SO jealous as that’s the one tour I have yet to do myself!
Strange as it may sound, it’s not necessary to plan every. single. minute. of your vacation out here. There’s nothing whatsoever wrong with enjoying some well-earned downtime and just letting the day unfold as time, desire, and energy levels permit.
That said, if you’re looking for some other low-intensity activities/sights to round out that second/third day, a few suggestions are:
The John Wesley Powell Museum
A tour of the Glen Canyon Dam
The White House Overlook of the Glen Canyon Dam
The Navajo Village Heritage Center
Gunfighter Canyon indoor shooting range (yes, it’s a thing!)
On your way from Page, AZ, to Zion, be sure to stop at the Big Water Visitors Center to see some award-winning displays of locally excavated dinosaur fossils.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Dear Alley
Thank you very much for your prompt responses and recommendations.
I will certainly look into these attractions. I am so excited to visit the famous Antelope Canyon.
Thank you again!
Cheers,
Ivy
🙂
I think Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon would be a good fit for you. It’s beautiful, uncrowded, and a flat easy hike. The time I went, we were paired with another couple and had the canyon to ourselves. I hope this helps.
Hi JR,
Thank you for sharing your experience in Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon with future travelers to Page, AZ!
Alley 🙂
Dear Alley,
I’m beyond impressed with your customer service and the time you take to provide detailed responses to each person’s inquiry. You are amazing!
Here’s my question (I did read through, but didn’t find the answer, so apologies if this is a repeat!):
We have about 48 hours in Page. We’d love to do something more low key on the first day, then something a bit more active on the second day. We have 4 boys between ages 10 and 13 who love adventure 🙂
1) We are thinking to do Horseshoe Bend mid-morning, then book your combined Lower Antelop Canyon + Boat tour. How long do we need to allocate for this entire tour? What time do we need to leave Horseshoe Bend in order to make it to the tour during good sunlight hours in the Canyon? (We will be there October 18).
2) On day 2, we are thinking of taking the morning to drive to Monument Valley, do the 17 mile self drive loop, then head back to Page for an afternoon of activity. Is this a feasible plan, or too ambitious?
3) If we do have this afternoon of “activity” – what are fun, off the beaten path ideas you have seen visitors do? I know we could do another slot canyon, but you mentioned that one is usually fine to see on limited time. Unless you think that this free time is well spent on another slot canyon? Perhaps canyoneering somewhere, hiking, anything cool or unique you’ve seen would be much appreciated here!
Thank you so much for your help in advance! I really, truly appreciate it!
Hi Sue and thank you for your compliments.
As for whether this topic is a “repeat,” no need to worry about that, it’s totally fine.
First off, October is a great time to be here. The weather is usually perfect (note, “usually” 😉 and though Page, AZ, is still busy, it’s not up to summertime craziness level.
On your arrival day, you might consider going to the Wahweap Overlook to view sunset. It’s usually less crowded than Horseshoe Bend, and offers a beautiful view of Lake Powell. If that does not appeal for some reason, you might consider making dinner reservations at “Into The Grand.” It’s a combination dinner theatre and educational/cultural experience that will give you a more in-depth appreciation for river running in the Grand Canyon.
Then, plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then doing the Lower Antelope/Boat Tour combo. As for how long to allocate, it depends on you and what’s available. Some visitors prefer to do the tours back-to-back, in which case, that takes ~4-5 hours; others like to have a little downtime between tours to get lunch, take a nap, etc. Mid-day (between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM) is generally considered the best time for lighting in Lower Antelope Canyon, but those time slots fill up fastest.
Visiting Monument Valley as a day trip is OK, but in October, it’s important to a. keep an eye on the time so you don’t do any of the drive at night (little to no light, animals on the road, spotty cell service, etc.) and b. remember that Monument Valley IS on Daylight Savings Time whereas Page, AZ IS NOT (you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Page, AZ, to MV, then “regain” it coming back). In mid-October, sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, sunset at around 5:45 PM. The drive to Monument Valley from Page, AZ, takes 2 hours each way. The 17-mile scenic loop drive should not be attempted by those driving rental cars. A guided tour of Monument Valley is recommended for optimal safety and enjoyment. If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, there is still a way you might work Monument Valley in: fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from Page Municipal Airport daily, first thing in the morning is the best time to fly for best light and less wind.
Other ideas for fun, “off-the-beaten path” activities include but are not limited to:
– Touring White Pocket
– doing a helicopter landing on top of Tower Butte
– hiking The “New” Wave
– taking a 4WD tour to Alstrom Point
– Gunfighter Canyon indoor shooting range
– a horseback ride to Horseshoe Bend
– an electric mountain bike ride
…just to name a few.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Absolutely amazing in your level of detail provided. I can’t thank you enough!
🙂
Hi There, Thank you so much for providing great insights on alternative canyons and providing thoughtful answers for people’s questions. We (4 of us, including a 9-year-old kid) plan to visit the Antelope Canyon for the first time early July this year. I understand the weather can be very hot then. We originally planned to do the 4 Canyon tour (Mountain Sheep, Owl, Rattlesnake & Upper Antelope) on one day and do the Lower Canyon and Boat tour on the next morning. After reading the article here, I wonder if we should change our travel plan. One of us is recovering from a bad back. It seems to me these alternative canyons might be more physically challenging. This is a concern for us. Also, I find that there are many one-day trips offered from Vegas (including some w small planes). How safe is it to fly with the plane from Vegas to Page in July? Is it more relaxing to drive from Vegas and stay in Page for 2 nights? Or, is it more enjoyable to join a small group one day tour or join a plane tour to visit the area? Your suggestions/ideas/comments will be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Heidi
Hi Heidi,
With an individual with back problems in your party, I’d recommend against the Owl/Rattlesnake/Mountain Sheep combo, especially in July. That’s the hottest time of the year, and can coincide with monsoon season, so many afternoon slot canyon tours can get cancelled for safety reasons. In light of the physical limitations, heat, etc., you might consider doing a combination Upper Antelope Canyon + Lake Powell Boat Tour, or using that second day to do the Glen Canyon Float Trip.
The fixed wing airplane flight tour from Las Vegas is safe, but flying back to Las Vegas afterward, you’ll face a bumpy ride with the afternoon heat causing turbulence over the Grand Canyon. It is much more enjoyable and relaxing to self-drive, stay for 2 nights, and explore the area at a more relaxed pace.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello,
I will be staying at Page for 2 nights and I want to cover as much as I can. Coming in from Vegas, I am planning to go to horseshoe bend and secret canyon on day 1 and then on the second day I will be going to the upper antelope canyon, lower antelope canyon and the antelope canyon boat tour. Do you have any other recommendation to make my current plan better? I feel like I am not doing and seeing enough.
Hi Alex!
It’s good that you’ve allowed 2 days to enjoy Page, AZ, and your plan is already quite full. That said, I’d recommend dropping Secret Canyon (now known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon) in favor of a different kind of sightseeing experience, perhaps a fixed wing airplane or helicopter flight. Or you might consider visiting Horseshoe Bend on horseback with Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides.
There are all kinds of possibilities! For more suggestions, visit our companion sites, http://www.HorseshoeBend.com or http://www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi there!
I plan to stay in page for two nights and hang out for a whole day on May 22th, I really want to visit Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend. Do you recommend I drive to every place and visit on walking? If you do not recommend walking alone, which part you prefer boat or air tour? And I also want to know how to book a tour online? I did not find any link for booking. Thank you!
Best
Clivia
Hi Clivia,
Pretty much the only way to visit the iconic slot canyon scenery Antelope Canyon is on foot. If you wish to visit Lake Powell as well, a 90-minute boat tour of the water side of Antelope Canyon would be a good way to accomplish this goal, and now, you can book both a walking tour of Antelope Canyon plus a boat tour as a “bundle.” For more information, and appropriate booking links, visit How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
As for Horseshoe Bend, you can visit on foot if you wish by self-driving to the parking area and paying a one-time $10/vehicle entry fee. We strongly recommend getting there just after sunrise if you prefer to walk to the overlook to avoid the crowds and the mid-day heat. If the prospect of this does not appeal, you might indeed consider an air tour. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, usually first thing in the morning for better light and less wind.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello,
We are staying in Page for 2 hole days. Plans are to see Lake Piwell,Horseband shoe,Monument valley,Antelope canyon.. we don’t like crowd,love to hike and of course inyoing the great nature. Can you suggest how ro organize our plane?
Also i heard abour archade,but can not find where they are. After Page our plan is Zion and Bryce canyon. Regards,Alenka
Hi Alenka!
Thank you for visiting today.
The way you organize your time in Page, AZ, will be largely dependent on availability of Antelope Canyon tours, or lack thereof. If you dislike crowds, as you say, then you might consider touring Antelope Canyon X instead of Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Or, you might consider touring Lower Antelope Canyon as a “bundle” together with a boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside on Lake Powell.
As for an “archade,” unfortunately, not sure what you mean by that, something may have gotten lost in translation. The closest thing I would be able recommend is Gunfighter Canyon, an indoor shooting range where you can try out a variety of firearms, but don’t require prior shooting experience, or carry permits from your home country.
Regarding your desire to see Monument Valley, it can be done as a day trip from Page, AZ, with careful planning and an eye on the clock. It takes 2 hours EACH WAY to drive from Page to Monument Valley and back. Nighttime driving must be avoided due to lack of ambient lighting on area roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses, which raises your accident risk. Another thing to keep in mind is that Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, but Page, AZ, does not. Therefore, Monument Valley is one hour “ahead” of Page. You will lose an hour traveling from Page, AZ, to MV, then “gain” it back traveling from MV to Page. If you wanted to do any scheduled activities in Monument Valley, you’ll need to be conscious of this. If the prospect of all that doesn’t appeal to you, you might consider flying over Monument Valley instead. Fixed wing airplanes depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily and Monument Valley overflights run ~90 minutes in length.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels, guided tours, etc. well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
When you ask about “archade”, might you mean arches? There is “Arches National Park” by Moab in Utah.
Hey Bren,
Alenka may have already traveled, but that’s a definite possibility that by “archade” he meant “Arches!”
Alley 🙂
Hello Everyone,
I am trying to plan a first trip to Antelope Canyon with an intimate group of four. All of the canyons look amazing. I definitely don’t want the over crowded experience and would like to be able to take pictures. The group can handle strenuous activity so not worried their. So my question is if time was limited to a three day trip and you could see one EVER which would you do?
Hi Angela, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
If your group is in relatively good shape, as you indicate, you might consider doing a photography tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, then segueing on to some of its more remote drainages, such as Owl Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon, and/or Rattlesnake Canyon. These types of package tours are offered exclusively by Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. For more information on what they have to offer, visit Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours: Photo Tours
If you really want to go off the beaten track, and aren’t intimidated by a slot canyon that requires a few ropes and ladders to navigate, Mystical Antelope Canyon might be just the thing you’re looking for. Although this newly opened slot canyon is *technically* not a part of the Antelope Canyon drainage (it’s ~4 miles away), it still offers a more intimate experience than Upper or Lower would be able to provide, and visitors are already rating it quite highly.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a hard choice!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Some my newest photos from Canyon X, definitely better for exploring and photographing than Upper Antelope Canyon.
https://fotografwdrodze.pl/kanion-antylopy-antelope-canyon-x/
Hi friends,
Thank you so much for sharing your photos and observations! If it’s OK, we have shared your blog post on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/antelopecanyon.az
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
No problem 🙂 Thanks 🙂
Hi!
I really appreciate your site & all you’ve shared. We are planning on coming out there 9/28/19-10/09/19. Following your route itinerary: Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Monument Valley-Page/Slot Canyons-Bryce Canyon-Zion-Las Vegas.
Thinking of spending 2 nights in each place because we don’t like to rush, but that leaves us an extra night somewhere & wondering where would be the most fun to further explore or is there somewhere not listed on your itinerary that we could spend a night? OR are there places we could really see a lot in one day & we’d be better off moving on after a night & seeing more places given the time we have. Also we have a 10 year old & 13 year old & tend to take our time in places. Example, if a museum says plan on 1.5-3 hours, we’ll be there for 4-5, lol!
Thanks for any advice you share!
Hi Amy-Jae,
First off, you’ve chosen a wonderful time to be here! Temperatures are cooling down, crowds are thinning out, autumn is my favorite time of year. Two nights in each location is a good plan, we wish more people could do it that way. That said, you could scoot by with just one day at Bryce Canyon since, square mileage-wise, it is a small park, and most of the scenic highlights can be covered in a relatively short time.
That said, you could allot your extra time to any number of places in Northern Arizona or Southern Utah! Not too far from Bryce Canyon — in this neck of the woods, we consider a 3-hour drive “not too far” 😉 — is Capitol Reef National Park. More cool geological formations, and some compelling pioneer history. Torrey, UT, would be where you’d want to stay as there are no hotels in the park itself. You might include a hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls on the trip there.
Between Monument Valley and Page, you might slide in Canyon de Chelly for Native American culture, architecture, and more cool rocks! Not much lodging to work with in that area, there’s the Thunderbird Lodge inside the park, and a couple hotels in the town of Chinle, AZ. Or you might do it as a day trip from Monument Valley since it’s only a 90-minute drive from there, but getting an extra night at Monument Valley might be tricky. Between Bryce and Zion, you could hit up Brian Head, Duck Creek Village, or Cedar City so you can do the hike in Kanarra Falls. The latter does require a permit, but these tend to be relatively easy to get.
Between Zion and Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston and/or the Valley of Fire State Park would be good candidates for an extra day’s time! The latter can be easily done as a detour between Zion and LAS; Mt. Charleston is best done as a day trip from LAS, or as an overnight at the Mt. Charleston Lodge.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂