Can you do both Lower and Upper in a day?

Hi Cathy,
Surprise! Long drives are an almost unavoidable fact of life out here.
If you’re asking if it’s possible to take an Antelope Canyon tour the same day you drive to Zion, the answer is yes — in theory, anyway. As you’ve hopefully realized, Page, AZ’s slot canyons are very popular attractions, and Antelope Canyon tours do sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance. “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out” Fortunately, during the summer months, when days are longer, the tour companies tend to offer early morning tour departures for those with other places to go and things to see. In June, for example, tours start as early as 6:00 AM. The drive to Zion would then take approximately 2 hours, so if you don’t have anything time-sensitive already scheduled in Zion for that afternoon, you should make it with daylight to spare.
By the way, you might also plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend that morning before touring Antelope Canyon. Parking at Horseshoe Bend has gotten to be quite a hassle of late, and you may find all spaces full by the time you arrive. Just something to be aware of.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

Hi Tay,
The more time you can spend, the more you’ll get out of your visit here! You need at least 3 full days to pull off all the items on your “wish list,” and if you have more time to spare, that’s even better.
One full day is sufficient at the Grand Canyon, because you’ll actually be doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page. The route naturally takes you along the East Rim Drive, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can stop at before exiting the park at Desert View. After crossing the park boundary, you’ll be in Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, where there is even more to see, including but not limited to the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Souvenir Stand, the Cameron Trading Post (good brunch/lunch stop), Chinle formation views and The “Cut” Overlook. On your way into town, try and stop by the Horseshoe Bend Overlook if parking is available. If the parking lot is full, consider other means of getting to the overlook such as shuttle services from Page, AZ, horseback rides, or scenic overflights. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend” The total drive time from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but don’t be surprised if it ends up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours with all the stops you’ll invariably make.
For touring Antelope Canyon, that can be accomplished in one day’s time. Also, it is not necessary to tour both Lower and Upper in order to have a satisfying visit to Page, AZ. Best to choose one branch of the canyon, then use your time for seeing and doing other things, such as Glen Canyon Dam tours, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive loop along Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Entrance fee required for that activity), hiking to the “New” Wave, among other things. Whatever you decide, just be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your arrival.
As for Angel’s Landing in Zion, you are very likely to encounter snow on the trail in February, especially on the upper section, which is the most dangerous part. That said, even if you decide to forego the hike to Angel’s Landing, I would still recommend visiting Zion. It is a beautiful park with plenty of other lovely hikes to enjoy. If you can, try to allocate at least one full day for Zion, with an overnight in Springdale, UT.
However, don’t be surprised to find that you’ll wish you’d given the park another day or two. There’s a lot to see and do there, and one day will only allow you to partake of a small sampling of all it has to offer.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

Hi Brenda and thank you for visiting us!
First of all, it takes ~5 hours to drive over from Las Vegas, so hopefully you’re planning on staying at least one night in Page, AZ. Horseshoe Bend can be visited anytime, in your own vehicle… in theory, anyway. In reality, parking can be quite a hassle at Horseshoe Bend during the hours between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Therefore, using an alternate means of getting to the overlook is strongly recommended, including taking a shuttle from Page, AZ, taking a trail ride, or a scenic overflight.
As for Antelope Canyon tours, there are a number of companies who offer walking tours to different branches of the canyon. Which one you travel with depends on how much exertion you’re willing to endure – or not, plus availability of tours – or lack thereof – will be a major deciding factor in which company you travel with. For more information, recommend you read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Hi Maite,
With one day to work with, you can definitely hit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, but Monument Valley will be a stretch. It’s a 2-hour drive – each way – from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, so while it’s doable as a day trip, it really deserves its own day to do justice to. Unfortunately, lodging in the Monument Valley area is scarce, and hotels might already be sold out. If that’s the case, you might still be able to work it in. More on that in a minute…
As for the Grand Canyon, you are correct, it’s very big! The Grand Canyon Skywalk, though novel, does not represent the “true” Grand Canyon, which is Grand Canyon National Park. Since you’re already planning to come to Page, AZ, anyway, you should visit either the North Rim or the South Rim. Either side is ~2.5 hours drive from Page, AZ. The North Rim is a bit further away from Las Vegas (~5.5 hours), and lodging options there are fewer in number and smaller in scale. The South Rim, on the other hand, is ~4.5 hours from Las Vegas, and offers more of a choice of lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities. Whichever side you opt to visit, lodging should be booked in advance of your arrival. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
Regarding Monument Valley – while it sounds as though you won’t have time to visit it by car, there’s still a way you might get to see it anyway, and that’s to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplane flights are operated out of the Page Municipal Airport by Westwind Air Service. Overflights run ~90 minutes in length and include Rainbow Bridge and Lake Powell as well. For more information, visit Westwind Air Service Tours From Page/Lake Powell (you have to scroll about half way down the page to get to the Monument Valley tours).
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

Hi Scarlette,
If you absolutely have to do both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon – which isn’t necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page – then make sure that both tours depart from the Tribal Park Entrance Gate on US98. If you do an Upper Antelope Canyon that picks up and drops off in Page, AZ, that adds another 30-60 minutes to get back to Lower Antelope Canyon for check-in. If I remember correctly, the 10:00 AM Upper Antelope time slot is held by Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, which is one of the companies located at the canyon’s entrance on US98. If that’s who you’re booked with, then you should be fine. Hopefully, there won’t be any unexpected delays occurring on the day you tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

Hi Usha,
It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. I would recommend sticking with Upper Antelope, then using the time you have for other activities and attractions, such as a Lake Powell boat tour, a scenic flight, a half-day float trip through Glen Canyon, or perhaps a 4×4 tour to Alstrom Point. Of course, don’t forget to visit Horseshoe Bend.
If you feel absolutely have to see Lower Antelope Canyon in addition to Upper, you’ll need to plan for ~90 minutes to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, then allow about 30 minutes before going down to Lower Antelope. This is not because Lower is particularly far away from Upper, it’s to allow for occasional delays in tour start times, and the fact that your Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitter will want you to check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Hi Lisa and thank you for your compliments.
You’re trying to cram too many destinations in a short time.
Zion National Park, for example, is a HUGE park that really requires at least 2 days to do it justice. Your plan to visit Bryce as a “drive-by” en route to Page is also not recommended. It takes ~2 hours to drive from Springdale to Bryce; it then takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Bryce Canyon to Page. So you’re looking at 5 hours or so behind the wheel in order to accomplish this. Another thing to factor in is daylength, which is shortening at that time of year. Sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, sunset at about 5:15 PM. Fortunately, Daylight Saving Time will have ended, so you don’t have to deal with that nonsense traveling between Arizona and Utah.
On your day in Page, you’ll be very limited on your options for boat tours. The majority of them are on seasonal hiatus at the time of year you’re visiting. The only one still “officially” operating is the Antelope Canyon waterside tour from Antelope Point Marina. Boat tours from Lake Powell Resort may run on an “on-demand” basis with favorable weather conditions and a minimum of 15 passengers. You might try calling them when your trip date gets closer at 928-645-1111.
If you do drive down to Sedona that night, allow at least 3 hours to make the trip, and be sure you time the drive so that you’re off the road by sunset. Nighttime driving in this part of the country is not recommended due to the lack of supplemental lighting on the local roadways, plus the tendency of deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate around them.
Hopefully, you’re planning to spend at least 2-3 days in Sedona, because there’s a lot to see and do there.
This all brings me to my #1 question: why is the Grand Canyon not included in your itinerary? If you’ve already been there and have no desire to revisit it, I understand, but if you’ve never been there, I strongly recommend rethinking your itinerary so that you may include it.
Hope that helps. Sorry to potentially be the bearer of bad news on some fronts, but don’t hesitate to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and have fun,
Alley 🙂

Hi Catherine,
If you are physically up for touring Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend doing that. You are correct in that both canyons are amazing, so you won’t go wrong with either one!
Regarding the rest of your trip plans, one alteration I’d recommend is to hit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, as in right after sunrise. Parking has gotten to be such an exercise in frustration during the mid-day hours that you could potentially waste hours of precious vacation time waiting to find a spot. If you think I’m kidding, read this article on our sister site, http://www.HorseshoeBend.com, “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend”
If at all possible, we don’t recommend doing all this as a day trip. It takes ~3 hours, each way, to drive from Sedona to Page. Antelope Canyon tours take approximately 2 hours. The shortest Lake Powell Boat Tour, a tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside, takes approximately 1.5 hours. Departure times in October are 10.30 AM, 2.30 PM, and 4:15 PM. I’d advise against taking that last tour in order to avoid having to do any of your driving after sunset. Nighttime driving in this part of the country is discouraged due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the tendency for deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate around them. Unless you’re 100% locked into those 10 days in Sedona, try to free up at least 1 night to stay in Page, AZ. That will make for a much more comfortable and relaxing experience for you!
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Dear Quynh:
Frankly, I’d recommend trying to free up another day to pull this trip off.
On Day 1, you’re proposing to do a LOT of driving: it takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Then, it takes 2.5-3.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. Not knowing what time of year you’re traveling, I can’t say this for certain, but this plan could put you at risk of having to do some of your driving at night, which we strongly discourage due to the relative absence of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roadways, and the tendency of deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate around them. Try instead to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim on your first travel day, then overnight in Page on your 2nd day, then drive back to Las Vegas (which also takes ~4.5 hours from Page) the following day.
Regarding which branch of Antelope Canyon you should visit, that probably will hinge on how much physical activity your mom will be able to endure. At only 100 yards in length, Upper Antelope Canyon tends to be the “go-to” tour for seniors, families with very young children and people with limited mobility. Those who are relatively fit and are OK with navigating some stairs and stepping over a few boulders are usually able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon. To judge for yourself, watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. Both branches of the canyon require a guided tour to visit. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours to tour either section of Antelope Canyon.
Horseshoe Bend also requires a good chunk of time, typically 60-90 minutes, but here again, consider carefully whether your mom would be able to handle it if she has respiratory or mobility issues, or if you plan to travel during the peak heat of summer. For suggestions on how to see Horseshoe Bend for those who can’t make the hike, read this article on our sister site, http://www.HorseshoeBend.com “Help! I Can’t Make The Hike To Horseshoe Bend”
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Hi Imma and thank you for visiting our site.
Your plan, I’m afraid, is overly ambitious and involves too much driving.
It takes 4.5 hours approximately to drive to Page from Las Vegas. It then takes 2 hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley, then another 3-3.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon. With only 2 days to work with, I strongly recommend eliminating the trip to Monument Valley, but there is still a way you can work that into your trip (more on that in a minute).
It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. Besides, you’re so limited on time anyway, that I would not recommend even trying.
Try and get an early start out of Las Vegas on 04/29 so you can do a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon that afternoon. The next morning, take a scenic airplane flight over Monument Valley, which lasts approximately 90 minutes. Then head to Grand Canyon. You can stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way out of town. The drive from Page to Grand Canyon takes about 2.5 hours driving direct, but that rarely happens as there are many other points of interest on the route that you’ll no doubt want to stop at, including, but not limited to, the Cameron Trading Post, kiosks run by Navajo tribe members where jewelry and other wares are sold, the Little Colorado River Overlook, and about half a dozen viewpoints on the Grand Canyon once you enter the park. It’s not uncommon for this 140-mile drive to take people in excess of 4 hours.
Be sure to reserve your Grand Canyon hotel, Page, AZ hotel, and Antelope Canyon tour in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

Dear Venkat,
Hi and thank you for visiting.
Sunrise is at about 6:30 AM and sunset occurs at approximately 6:30 PM during early March, so you will have ample sunlight in order to enjoy both tours. Be sure you make reservations for both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours before you arrive. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
If you find you have time to spare on either end of your sightseeing day, you might visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Navajo Village Heritage Center or the Carl Hayden Visitors Center at Glen Canyon Dam. Make reservations for hotels, and don’t forget to stop by Horseshoe Bend, too.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂

Hi Lorna –
First and foremost requirement: choose which branch of the canyon you wish to tour. It will come down to how much exertion you are willing to do, or not do. Upper is “easy peasy,” just 100 yards in length, pretty flat the whole way. Lower is a bit more physical, requiring some stair climbing and simple bouldering. Once you decide on Upper or Lower, make a reservation. How to book a tour for Antelope Canyon
Since you’re coming from Las Vegas, I strongly recommend you plan your visit as an overnight tour, two nights if you can swing it. It takes approximately 5 hours one way to drive from Las Vegas to Page, so that makes for a very long day tour. If you weren’t planning on driving, you’ll need to take a tour of some sort. Package tours are available from Las Vegas by bus or by plane. How to get to Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Hi Ricky,
Early October in Page, AZ is typically marked by very stable weather, warm but not excessively hot, with chances of precipitation usually slight. You should have sunshine and blue skies! But, I would keep an eye on the weather about 2 weeks prior to your trip date to anticipate a potential cold snap or stray thunderstorm. As for a good itinerary, it’s difficult to recommend one not knowing how long you’ll be staying, but popular activities in the area include the Colorado River Discovery Half-Day Float Trip, Lake Powell Boat Tours, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, walking tours of the Glen Canyon Dam, and ample easy but scenic hikes. Check out this sample 2-day itinerary for more ideas! Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

Hi Elena, and thanks for visiting our site.
I’m going to get the bad news out of the way first: if you don’t have reservations to go to Havasu Falls already, you’re not going there. Permits are required to visit this area, and due to the nature of the logistics involved to get there, camping or staying in the local lodge for at least 1 night is recommended. Unfortunately, these accommodations are few in number and are booked months in advance. Sorry, but that’s the reality of the situation.
As for the rest of your itinerary, it’s feasible – if you act quickly. Grand Canyon South Rim lodging also books up well in advance, so the order of your trip should revolve around when you can find availability of hotels. Staying in the park is always most desirable, but if you can’t find availability there, Tusayan (aka Grand Canyon Village South) is your next best option. If nothing is available there, try Williams, Cameron, or Flagstaff, AZ. Visit this link for more information on Grand Canyon Hotels in order of proximity to the park At the Grand Canyon, hiking alone is perfectly fine; in fact, you’re not likely to be alone on the corridor trails Bright Angel and South Kaibab. Just remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours up. Water, sun protection and high-energy snacks should be carried with you at all times.
For Antelope Canyon, you are required to go with an authorized tour company. Horseshoe Bend can be visited on your own. For Lake Powell, you have a choice of taking a boat tour, renting a boat, or simply going down to a convenient beach and taking a swim. The best place to stay to visit these attractions is Page, AZ.
Now, seeing as though you’ve had to take one item off your wish list (Havasu), you might consider substituting it with Zion National Park. There’s alot to see and do in this area, and it’s right on your way back to Las Vegas. Lodging location recommended for this park is Springdale, Utah.

Hope that helps. Thanks again for visiting and best wishes for safe traveling!
Alley

Hi Ivy,
Thanks for visiting!
In late October/early November, lighting in both Upper and Lower Antelope will be optimal at mid-day, however, the light shafts you’ve no doubt seen pictures of are starting to fall short of extending all the way down to the canyon floor. Still, you might catch a glimpse of them, particularly in Upper, if you time your tour for around 11:00-12:00. Then Lower can be fit in around that.
Hope that helps,
Alley

Dear Charles,
Wow – we are humbled and flattered by your praise! I’ll be sure to pass it on to Ryan, who’s out of the office at present.
So, I’m assuming you have already been to the Grand Canyon, and that’s why you haven’t included it in your itinerary? Going off that assumption, here’s what I’d recommend.
1. On your way from Las Vegas to Page, consider stopping at the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools Trail. It’s a fairly easy walk, about 1.5 miles roundtrip. The trailhead is located at Mile Marker 19 of Highway 89, between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT and rewards you with some really cool rock formations.
2. If you arrive in Page in the early afternoon hours before sunset, consider hitting Horseshoe Bend before settling in for the evening. This timeframe is one of the best for photos.
3. Make a reservation for your Antelope Canyon tour. The time of year you’re visiting is very busy and if you have your heart set on seeing the light beams at mid-day, the canyon will be busy. Since you’re travelling to Arches, I would recommend picking up your tour at the entrance to the canyon on Highway 98 instead of one of the tours out of Page.
As you can see, I haven’t even brought up the possibility of a Lake Powell boat tour. With only one night in Page, you might not be able to squeeze one in, unless it’s a short one like the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise. Another night in Page may be in order!
Hope that helps in your planning. Have a wonderful trip.
Alley

Hi Sandy and thank you for visiting our site!
As you’ve already gathered, heat is a very important consideration when planning your itinerary. During the month of July, it’s not uncommon for daytime temperatures to reach above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, though, the interior of Antelope Canyon tends to remain cool due to the fact that it’s shaded for most of the day. Since Lower Antelope Canyon requires more physical exertion, I’d recommend doing that activity during the cooler parts of the day, which tends to be early morning before 10 AM. Upper Antelope Canyon tends to be most brightly illuminated during the mid-day hours, so that section of the canyon is best visited between 10 AM and 1 PM. Horseshoe Bend is the most exposed of the 3 sites, so care must be taken if any of your traveling party is sensitive to extreme heat. Mid-afternoon tends to offer the best photo opportunity, but in July, this might become a secondary consideration to safety and comfort. Mid-morning, after sunrise, might be a better time to visit.
Another factor that might decide the order in which these 3 sites are visited is your trip itinerary. For example, if you’re coming to Page from Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend Overlook is a convenient stop on your way into town since it’s located just 5 miles South of the city. If you’re driving in from Monument Valley, you could easily hit Antelope Canyon en route to Page since the canyon’s entrance is located on Highway 98 just Southeast of town.
Whatever you decide, make sure you wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring plenty of water. At the present time, there are no water sources at either Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon, but that could change in the future.
Hope that helps. Happy traveling!
Alley